ESPN's recent acquisition to distribute the pre- and postgame show "Inside The NBA" has led to an exciting development for the Big 12 Conference. Let's delve into the details.

ESPN's Agreement with TNT Sports

On Monday, ESPN announced a significant agreement with TNT Sports. This deal allows TNT to continue creating and producing the popular "Inside The NBA" show hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith. However, the show will now be distributed on both ESPN and ABC.This move not only brings the excitement of "Inside The NBA" to a wider audience but also marks a new chapter in the television partnerships of the Big 12 Conference. Alongside ESPN and FOX, Big 12 football and men's basketball games will start airing on TNT Sports from 2025.The sublicensing agreement between ESPN and TNT Sports is set to take effect in 2025, which is the first year of the Big 12's new media rights. This agreement will see ESPN sublicensing Big 12 football and men's basketball games to be televised on TNT Sports. These games were previously set to air on ESPN+.

TNT's Broadcasting Schedule

Starting in 2025, TNT will televise 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men's basketball games. The games aired on TNT Sports will also be available on the streaming service MAX. This provides fans with multiple ways to catch the action.For football, the Big 12 will have three linear television options (ESPN, FOX, TNT) starting in 2025. In basketball, there will be four networks (ESPN, FOX, TNT, and CBS) for fans to enjoy the games.The 2024 college football season is particularly significant as it marks TNT Sports' return to college football. TNT was one of the first cable networks to air live college football broadcasts in the 1980s and aired SEC football on TBS in the 1990s. Later, in the early 2000s, they had a package of games with the Big 12 and former Pac-12 Conference.This year, TNT has been televising Mountain West Conference games and will also televise two first-round games from the College Football Playoff in December.In basketball, TNT has been one of the networks airing NCAA Tournament games since 2011.The Big 12's upcoming media rights package runs from 2025 through 2031, ensuring a long-term partnership and plenty of exciting games for fans to look forward to.Mitch Harper, a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com, hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch's coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.Take us with you wherever you go. Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah's sports leader. It allows you to stream live radio and video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams. Follow @Mitch_Harper.