The G.O.A.T. is headed to the broadcast studio.
NBC Universal announced Monday that six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan will join the studio’s coverage of the NBA this fall.
The Chicago Bulls legend will be a “special contributor” to NBC’s broadcasts beginning in October. NBC made the announcement during an Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall, mimicking Jordan’s legendary announcement of his return from retirement by flashing a message on the screen: “I’m back.”
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in a statement. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
Decades after his final retirement, Jordan’s presence is still inescapable throughout the NBA. He was a majority owner in the Charlotte Hornets before selling in 2023 and drove discourse during the release of ESPN’s 10-part documentary “The Last Dance” in 2020. His shoe brand remains the standard bearer for the league.
But the former Bulls star has never dabbled in sports media. At 62, Jordan will be making his debut as a broadcaster. NBC has not shared details of how Jordan will contribute, including whether he will be in a studio, arena or working remotely from home.
NBC was one of the NBA’s primary broadcasters for the prime years of Jordan’s career, including his six-trophy run in the 90s. But the company has not held broadcast rights for the league since 2002, paving the way for TNT to take over.
That changed this year, when the league entered into a new exclusive rights deal with Amazon, ESPN and NBC. The final game of the Eastern Conference Finals will be the last game broadcast on TNT.