Michael Jordan Returns to NBC Sports as Special Contributor for NBA Coverage

NEW YORK, NY — Basketball icon Michael Jordan is set to make a highly anticipated return to the NBA scene as a special contributor for NBC Sports. The announcement came on May 12, 2025, as part of NBC’s new 11-year media rights deal to broadcast NBA games starting with the 2025–26 season.

Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, has been largely absent from the media landscape since his last retirement in 2003. This new role will mark his return to a network he helped elevate during his legendary career, particularly during the 1990s.

“Michael’s legacy both on and off the court speaks for itself. We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage,” NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said in a statement.

Details about Jordan’s role remain somewhat vague. Sources suggest that he will not be a constant on-air presence like fellow sports legends Wayne Gretzky or Shaquille O'Neal. Instead, Jordan is expected to participate in special segments, halftime analysis, and possibly exclusive events.

“Michael is going to be doing a handful of things for NBC when the NBA returns, and instead of commentating, it is going to be more special segments,” a source told DailyMail.com. “They are going to make his moments special, but it isn’t going to be full commentary like what Shaq and Charles Barkley do.”

Basketball fans are buzzing with speculation about which version of Jordan they will see. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith expressed excitement on social media, wondering, “Is it going to be the Michael Jordan you see on television? Or is it going to be the Michael Jordan we speak to?”

Amid this announcement, reactions have poured in from fans and former players alike. Many express hope that this opportunity allows Jordan to share more candid thoughts regarding today’s NBA, especially as the league has evolved dramatically since his playing days.

Notably, Jordan’s presence is expected to revitalize NBC’s presentation of the NBA, which has not aired games since 2002. The network aims to recapture the nostalgic vibe of its previous broadcasts during the height of Jordan’s career.

As the start of the new NBA season approaches in October, anticipation builds for how Jordan will approach this new chapter—from his insightful analysis to possibly addressing past rivalries without the filters he has maintained in recent years.

More details about his specific duties will likely emerge closer to the season’s kickoff. For now, fans remain eager to see how the basketball legend adapts to his new role on air.