Michael Jordan steps away from the NBA on NBC after a first season marked by his limited appearances
Michael Jordan would not be part of NBC's NBA coverage during the 2026-27 season, although he might still change his mind.
Michael Jordan will not return, at least for now, to the NBA coverage of NBC Sports during the 2026-27 season. The Chicago Bulls legend joined the network as a "special contributor" before the start of last season, marking his return to regular basketball commentary since the 2020 documentary The Last Dance.
However, his involvement during the 2025-26 season was much more limited than many fans expected. Jordan only conducted one interview with Mike Tirico, which NBC later divided into five segments titled "MJ: Perspectives on Excellence".
A Much More Limited Appearance Than Expected
The five segments lasted approximately three to four minutes each and allowed Jordan to discuss different basketball-related topics.
Among the topics addressed were the management of players' workloads, the experience of playing at Madison Square Garden, and his memories of the Olympic Games.
One of the most impactful moments came when Jordan spoke about player availability and argued that top stars should be on the court when they are able to play.
"I never wanted to miss a game," said Jordan, making his position clear on an issue that continues to generate debate in the NBA.
Jordan's Participation in NBC
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network | NBC Sports |
| Role | Special Contributor |
| Season | 2025-26 |
| Appearances | One Interview |
| Interviewer | Mike Tirico |
| Segments | 5 |
| Duration | 3-4 minutes each |
| 2026-27 Season | His return is not expected |
NBC Reestablishes Its Relationship with the NBA
Jordan's arrival came at a particularly important time for NBC, which returned to NBA coverage after several years of absence.
The network also reclaimed "Roundball Rock", the iconic theme by John Tesh, and featured veteran commentators like Bob Costas.
For Jordan, the relationship with NBC also had a historical component. During its original NBA coverage in the 1990s, the network aired the six championships he won with the Chicago Bulls.
His return as a special contributor generated much anticipation precisely because of that connection to the NBA's golden era and the immense relevance Jordan continues to have within basketball.
However, his limited presence during the first season led to mixed reactions.
Michael Jordan May Change His Mind
Although NBC's current plans do not include Jordan's participation in its coverage for the upcoming season, there remains a small window of opportunity.
Some sources suggest that Jordan could change his mind and eventually participate at some point. For now, however, the network is operating under the expectation that the six-time NBA champion will not be part of its coverage team.
The decision would effectively conclude, at least temporarily, a collaboration that had minimal prominence during its first year.
NBC Prepares for a Grand Opening Day
The 2026-27 season will begin for NBC on October 20, with a tripleheader featuring several big names from the NBA.
The matchups will be Boston Celtics-Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs-Oklahoma City Thunder.
The network will face its second season back in the NBA with an established team of commentators and some of the competition's main attractions.
But, barring a change of plans, there will be a particularly notable absence: Michael Jordan will not be in NBC's coverage.
The Bulls legend returned to television last season after several years away from such appearances, but his participation ended up being reduced to a single interview divided into several segments. Now, it seems that fans will have to wait to hear him talk about the NBA from NBC's coverage again.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Michael Jordan se aleja de la NBA en NBC tras una primera temporada marcada por sus escasas apariciones
