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Michael Jordan is not expected to return to NBC Sports’s NBA coverage, Front Office Sports has learned.
NBC scored a major coup when it landed His Airness as a “special on-air contributor” before the 2025–26 season. It was the first time Air Jordan really talked basketball on TV since 2020’s The Last Dance documentary, which focused on his Bulls dynasty. NBC aired all six of Jordan’s NBA titles during the network’s golden era of 1990s basketball coverage.
Last year, Jordan’s contributions to NBC’s coverage consisted of one sit-down interview with Mike Tirico, which was spliced into multiple segments that aired throughout the season. Although his conversation with Tirico was fascinating, his appearances were ultimately few and far between, and they didn’t focus on the NBA’s current events.
Jordan’s segments with Tirico were dubbed “MJ: Insights to Excellence.” Over five taped segments lasting about three to four minutes apiece, His Airness shared his thoughts on load management, playing at Madison Square Garden, and his Olympic experiences. During one segment, Jordan said load management shouldn’t be needed, noting stars have an obligation to the fans to suit up and play if they’re healthy. “I never wanted to miss a game,” he said.
Despite the polarizing reaction to the Jordan segments, NBC earned critical raves for its “new-stolgic” return to NBA coverage, which included the return of John Tesh’s classic “Roundball Rock” anthem and appearances by legendary sportscasters such as Bob Costas. NBC will tip off the new 2026-2027 NBA season on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with a triple-header featuring Celtics-Pistons at 3 p.m. ET; Knicks-76ers at 7 p.m.; and Spurs-Thunder at 9:30. The NBA champion Knicks will get their rings and raise their first championship banner in 53 years during a pregame Opening Night ceremony.
As always, the mercurial Jordan could change his mind. But right now, sources say NBC viewers likely won’t see or hear from basketball’s most famous face during the upcoming campaign.
NBC declined comment.
