NBC Sports play-by-play veteran Mike Tirico opened up about his series of Insights to Excellence segments with hall of fame basketball player Michael Jordan. He discussed viewer feedback, the interview approach, and the potential for future conversations.
The segments, which aired on NBC Sports’ return to coverage of the NBA, offered a rare look at Jordan’s perspective on the game, his business interests, and his enduring connection to basketball. Tirico described the interviews as a unique opportunity to explore Jordan’s mindset beyond the headlines and highlight his continued passion for the sport.
“My takeaway was how much he cares about the games. He still loves the game, and in some regards, doesn’t love some of the direction of the game. He wanted to talk about it. So it was a great forum,” Tirico said on The SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina.
He acknowledged that while the segments might not have answered every fan question, the value of hearing Jordan’s perspective firsthand was undeniable. “Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not. Was it better than not having Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was.”
On the possibility of additional interviews, Tirico admitted there are no additional interviews currently scheduled. However he remained optimistic for another opportunity if Jordan grants it.
“Nothing scheduled as of now that I know of, but it is a possibility. I hope there’s something else after it. Michael was awesome,” he said. He framed the segments as more than just routine interviews,. By emphasizing the trust Jordan placed in NBC Sports to discuss topics rarely explored in the media.
Tirico also outlined his approach to the conversation, noting the breadth of Jordan’s interests both on and off the court.
“Michael still has so many business interests in the game with a piece of the Hornets, and obviously his involvement with brand Jordan,” Tirico said. “There’s a ton of topics you’d love to get to, of course. But Michael really wanted to talk about where he sees the game right now. We haven’t heard a lot of that. So it was interesting, it was fun, and it was good perspective.”
He expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to work with Jordan, highlighting the rarity of such candid dialogue. Jordan was a big piece of NBC Sports’ announcement back in May of last year when the network rolled out their coverage plans for their new rights agreement.
“Michael trusted us enough to sit and do something that he hasn’t done in a long time. Talk about where the game is right now, and there’s a few more to come that will still be Pitch Perfect for the moment,” Tirico teased. He added that the segments were designed to provide thoughtful insight rather than chase the latest headlines, noting that media often focuses on minutiae rather than broader context.
Since the segments aired, reactions from viewers and commentators have ranged from enthusiastic to cautiously curious, reflecting both the public’s reverence for Jordan and the uncommon format of the interviews. Tirico hopes the series encourages fans and aspiring professionals alike to reflect on principles of leadership, passion, and excellence.
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