Michael Jordan is lacing up again—this time, not for the hardwood, but for the broadcast booth.
In a mic-drop moment during NBCUniversal’s Upfronts at Radio City Music Hall on Monday, the media giant announced that the NBA icon will be joining its NBA coverage this fall as a special correspondent.
The news has sent shockwaves through both the advertising world and the sports community. But it was how it was delivered: NBCU flashed a mock press release on screen with just two iconic words—“I’m back.”
Sound familiar?
That’s the same phrase Jordan famously used in 1995 when he returned to the Chicago Bulls after his baseball hiatus.
Now, nearly three decades later, he’s making another comeback, this time as part of NBCUniversal’s brand-new, long-term NBA broadcast partnership.
In a short pre-recorded video played for attendees, MJ kept it cool. “Sorry I can’t be with you,” he said. “I am excited about being a special contributor. … Looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this fall.”
Let’s pause on this for a second: Michael Jordan—the GOAT—will be providing commentary and insight during NBA games.
Not Charles Barkley. Not Shaq. But MJ himself. For fans who grew up with him during his reign, this is full-circle content.
While Jordan has maintained a distance from the media circus that’s become standard for retired NBA stars, his impact on the game has never faded.
He’s never been one to sit on a panel and trade jokes on TNT. He didn’t need to. His legacy is baked into every highlight reel, every sneaker drop, every goat emoji. But this move feels different—and intentional.
Since retiring more than 20 years ago, Jordan’s presence has been powerful but infrequent. As an owner, a businessman, and the central figure in the smash-hit docuseries The Last Dance, he’s shaped sports culture from a distance.
But stepping into the spotlight as a contributor, especially on a network that helped define his prime, is a move that merges nostalgia with a fresh chapter.
No word yet on exactly what his role will entail—will he be dropping in during marquee matchups, offering behind-the-scenes stories, narrating hype reels?
Whatever it is, you can bet it’s going to be must-see TV. Jordan doesn’t do small.
So yeah, he’s back. Again. And this time, he’s got a mic.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
