In an exciting development for basketball fans, NBC has announced the hiring of Michael Jordan to enhance its NBA coverage, set to return later this year. Jordan, often hailed as the greatest NBA player of all time, famously led the Chicago Bulls to six championships during his illustrious career.
The announcement was made during NBC’s upfront presentation in New York, featuring a live rendition of the classic NBA on NBC theme “Roundball Rock” by composer John Tesh. Jordan made a special appearance through a video message, expressing his enthusiasm for joining the project. “I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan remarked. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I can’t wait to see everyone when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
Although he last stepped onto the court over two decades ago, Jordan remains active in the basketball community, notably as a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets and the founder of a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing. This will mark his first foray into regular NBA coverage.
NBC Sports president Rick Cordella commented on the significance of Jordan’s addition, stating, “Michael’s legacy both on and off the court speaks for itself. We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage.” This move reflects a growing trend among broadcasting networks to enlist legendary athletes to elevate their sports programming. Notably, networks like TNT Sports have enlisted NHL great Wayne Gretzky, and Fox recently brought in NFL superstar Tom Brady to bolster their coverage.
This strategic decision is not only a nod to Jordan’s status in the sports world but also promises to bring a fresh and engaging perspective to basketball broadcasting, delighting both longtime fans and new audiences alike.