Michael Jordan was once again in the spotlight on Tuesday night (October 21) when he went live as a special contributor during NBC Sports’ first NBA broadcast in more than 20 years.
The Hall of Famer appeared at halftime of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season opener against the Houston Rockets to reflect with veteran Mike Tirico on his new role and his evolving connection to the game that defines his legacy.
“I have an obligation to the game of basketball…as a basketball player to be able to deliver a message of success and dedication to the game of basketball,” Jordan said, explaining his motivation for entering the broadcast industry after decades away from the microphone.
NBC’s NBA relaunch leans heavily into nostalgia, reviving John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” theme and using artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of late announcer Jim Fagan.
“We have an obligation to pay it back. That’s part of everything.”
Watch the first-ever conversation between Michael Jordan and Mike Tirico in the first edition of MJ: Extraordinary Insights. pic.twitter.com/7tfzGm6SpM
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 22, 2025
The network first revealed Jordan’s involvement back in May, but Tuesday’s appearance marked his first time in front of the camera.
Michael Jordan reveals he missed game
Jordan, now 62, admits he rarely picks up a basketball anymore, although he still feels the pull of competition.
He shared a story about shooting free throws at a rental house while watching a Ryder Cup game and said he was surprisingly nervous.
“The reason is these kids heard stories from their parents about what I did 30 years ago,” he said. “So, their expectations were 30 years ago, and I hadn’t touched a basketball yet.”
When Tirico asked him if the shot was successful, Jordan said without hesitation, “Of course. It made my whole week.”
Jordan also opened up about his emotional distance from the court now, admitting he misses the intensity of the game but knows his body can’t keep up.
“I wish I could take a magic pill today, put on shorts, go out and play basketball, because that’s who I am,” he said. “That competition, that competition is what I live for, and I miss it. I miss that feeling of playing basketball and being able to challenge myself in what people see as great basketball. But for me, sitting here talking to you guys is better than rupturing my Achilles tendon and being in a wheelchair for a while.”
NBC’s NBA return is part of a long-term media rights deal set to begin with the 2025-26 season. Jordan’s presence adds weight to the network’s coverage, which also includes Reggie Miller as lead analyst.
The next episode of the Jordan series, “MJ: Superior Insight,” will air on October 28 and will explore topics such as load management.
