Michael Jordan won’t return to NBC’s NBA coverage this season. Mike Tirico confirmed it Wednesday to Front Office Sports — but he’s not giving up hope.
What We Know: NBC signed Jordan before the 2025–26 season as a special contributor. He sat for one extended interview with Tirico. Producers split it into six MJ: Insights to Excellence segments that aired all year. That marked the extent of Jordan’s on-air commitment last season. Reaction to the segment was mixed. There was much higher expectations of what Jordan could have brought to NBC Sports coverage of the NBA by many. However, Tirico says he was “honored” that the network pursued the opportunity and executed on it.
What They Said: (All quotes via Front Office Sports):
Mike Tirico: “Michael hasn’t sat down with a lot of folks over the last 20 years, and I’m honored that we did it. I think if people look at the content of what was there, and not what their expectations were or the other stuff, I think they’d come away and say, ‘You know, it’s pretty interesting to hear what he said.’ So glad Michael did it. Lucky to have the time around him. And if he ever does it again, I hope I’m the guy on the other side of the couch. If not, I’ll be sitting there and listening to him, that’s for darn sure.”
Mike Tirico: “It was fun. A lot of people took it and ran with what they thought it was going to be, when we never really said a lot of what it was going to be. It was just Michael talking about basketball. And Michael was terrific about it. You know, I’d love for Michael at any point to come back and sit down and do more. Because it was selfishly great to sit and hang with Michael and to talk basketball and hear his views on the game and his love still for basketball and what it is today.”
What Remains Unclear: It’s unclear if Jordan will ever return to NBC’s NBA coverage or any network as well. Tirico left the door open. Currently, nothing is on the schedule.
What It Means: Still, NBC scored a win just landing Jordan over rival networks. The lean into nostalgia with Jordan, Bob Costas, and Roundball Rock resonated with fans in year one. NBC and Peacock tip off the 2026–27 season October 20 when the New York Knicks will raise their banner during Opening Night.
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