When NBC Sports made the announcement that basketball hall of famer Michael Jordan has joined the network as a special contributor, social media and local Chicago sports radio were ablaze with reaction. Following the news, Rahimi & Harris on 670 The Score in Chicago, featuring Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris, and contributor Mark Grote, began to digest what this could mean for the basketball fan’s return to watching games on the NBC network and Peacock.
“They decided to use Jim Fagan’s voice through AI, and now they want to bring back Jordan,” said Rahimi. “What year is this? What in the name of the 1990’s is going on here? I can’t say I’m mad at it.”
The trio were shocked by the news of Jordan beginning his first venture into sports media after over twenty years of straying away from the notion both nationally and locally in Chicago.
“From a nostalgia standpoint, this is a dub on top of a dub on top of a dub,” noted Harris of the addition of Jordan to the NBA on NBC roster.
Jordan, who played several marquee games throughout his legendary career on the broadcast property, will be making contributions to the network across NBC and Peacock. Moreover, making the announcement live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Jordan addressed the crowd through a pre-recorded video.
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in the video. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career. I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. Looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
Subsequently, Mark Grote shared his thoughts on the return of Jordan inserting his conversation into the game of basketball as being a win for the fan.
“Forget about Chicago specifically right now, this is good for everyone,” said Grote. “I think these are the first steps of Michael Jordan buying the Chicago Bulls.”
In response, Harris noted the history of Jordan’s career being featured on the network for many years during the Chicago Bulls’ title runs in the 1990’s and pondered how the network thought about Jordan’s role in the first place.
“I got to find out how much they’re paying him,” joked Harris. “Executives going back decades with MJ and the NBA. There’s history there with Michael Jordan and the way he used to interact with the media. I want to know what that first phone call was. I’m going to call Michael and say what, and how was it presented to him.”
Finally, Rahimi called the investment by NBC with Jordan “it’s worth it already,” without Jordan making a single appearance as of yet on the network’s coverage of the NBA.
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