Michael Jordan’s shock NBA deal leaves fans intrigued as $76bn broadcast battle takes shape
Michael Jordan is back. The legendary six-time champion – who is rarely seen or heard on NBA coverage – has been announced as a special correspondent on NBC’s coverage of the league once their new deal begins next season. Michael Jordan will be back on our TV screensGetty The broadcaster is returning as a rights-holder of the league as part of the NBA’s new 11-year $76 billion TV deal this fall and they have landed what many consider as the greatest basketball player of all-time. Announcing Jordan as a correspondent at a presentation at Radio City Music Hall, the broadcaster mimicked the famous press release the six-time NBA champion did when he un-retired from basketball in 1995, by flashing on the screen the words, “I’m back.” Jordan then appeared in a video. “Sorry I can’t be with you,” he said. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.” NBC also posted their announcement on social media, with it quickly going viral as fans were sent into a frenzy. “A legendary addition to our team! We’re thrilled to welcome Michael Jordan as a special contributor to the NBA on NBC and Peacock,” NBC posted on X. “First Brady now Jordan, all the GOATS are picking up a mic,” one fan replied on X. “The money must be CRAZY to get this man out of hiding,” one fan joked. For many, the 62-year-old has the best resume in NBA history. Along with his six-championships and five regular-season MVPs, His Airness also holds six NBA Finals MVPs, 10 NBA scoring-titles and is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. His personality powered the Bulls to six NBA titlesGETTY Michael Jordan made winning championships look easyGetty This comes alongside being a 14 time NBA-All Star and being selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team 14 times. With such achievements, NBC have secured a major coup, with there not being many better in the world of basketball to have an analyst. So with the addition of Jordan, the race for the biggest talents before the new TV deal kicks off in October will certainly heat up. As Amazon’s Prime Video and ESPN, the other broadcasters with rights to the NBA this fall, will look for ways to ensure their coverage is as exciting. Prime Video recently revealed their cast of NBA legends and presenters joining their coverage. Udonis Haslem, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, and WNBA legend Candace Parker all confirmed to be part of their debut season as broadcasters. These additions build on their previously announced studio team of host Taylor Rooks, and analysts Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzk Meanwhile ESPN, enhanced their offerings when they announced that the popular studio show Inside the NBA, which features the quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, will appear on their airwaves for next season. TNT Sports’ parent company Warner Bros, which created the show, lost the rights to the NBA and agreed to license the program to ESPN back in November. “Inside the NBA is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement at the time. ESPN also has talents like Stephen A Smith and Kendrick Perkins, with their former recently signing a 5-year $100 million deal with them. Basketball coverage for the 2025-26 looks set to be exciting.
Michael Jordan is back.
The legendary six-time champion – who is rarely seen or heard on NBA coverage – has been announced as a special correspondent on NBC’s coverage of the league once their new deal begins next season.
The broadcaster is returning as a rights-holder of the league as part of the NBA’s new 11-year $76 billion TV deal this fall and they have landed what many consider as the greatest basketball player of all-time.
Announcing Jordan as a correspondent at a presentation at Radio City Music Hall, the broadcaster mimicked the famous press release the six-time NBA champion did when he un-retired from basketball in 1995, by flashing on the screen the words, “I’m back.”
Jordan then appeared in a video. “Sorry I can’t be with you,” he said.
“The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
NBC also posted their announcement on social media, with it quickly going viral as fans were sent into a frenzy.
“A legendary addition to our team! We’re thrilled to welcome Michael Jordan as a special contributor to the NBA on NBC and Peacock,” NBC posted on X.
“First Brady now Jordan, all the GOATS are picking up a mic,” one fan replied on X.
“The money must be CRAZY to get this man out of hiding,” one fan joked.
For many, the 62-year-old has the best resume in NBA history.
Along with his six-championships and five regular-season MVPs, His Airness also holds six NBA Finals MVPs, 10 NBA scoring-titles and is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.
This comes alongside being a 14 time NBA-All Star and being selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team 14 times.
With such achievements, NBC have secured a major coup, with there not being many better in the world of basketball to have an analyst.
So with the addition of Jordan, the race for the biggest talents before the new TV deal kicks off in October will certainly heat up.
As Amazon’s Prime Video and ESPN, the other broadcasters with rights to the NBA this fall, will look for ways to ensure their coverage is as exciting.
Prime Video recently revealed their cast of NBA legends and presenters joining their coverage.
Udonis Haslem, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, and WNBA legend Candace Parker all confirmed to be part of their debut season as broadcasters.
These additions build on their previously announced studio team of host Taylor Rooks, and analysts Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzk
Meanwhile ESPN, enhanced their offerings when they announced that the popular studio show Inside the NBA, which features the quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, will appear on their airwaves for next season.
TNT Sports’ parent company Warner Bros, which created the show, lost the rights to the NBA and agreed to license the program to ESPN back in November.
“Inside the NBA is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement at the time.
ESPN also has talents like Stephen A Smith and Kendrick Perkins, with their former recently signing a 5-year $100 million deal with them.
Basketball coverage for the 2025-26 looks set to be exciting.
