Basketball fans will be seeing more of an NBA legend next season.
NBC announced Monday that six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, viewed by many as the greatest of all time, will join the network as a special contributor when the NBA returns in October.
The announcement was made during NBCUniversal’s Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in a statement. “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.”
The NBA is set to return to NBC for the first time since 2002 with Ann Arbor resident Mike Tirico serving as the lead play-by-play voice.
Noah Eagle will also call games while former Michigan star Jamal Crawford and Pacers legend Reggie Miller will serve as game analysts.
NBA legend Carmelo Anthony will be featured in studio while Jordan is expected to contribute in a variety of ways.
“Michael’s legacy both on and off the court speaks for itself,” said NBC Sports President Rick Cordella. “We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage.”
As a player with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan also won six finals MVPS, five regular season MVPs and 10 NBA scoring titles. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star, nine-time first-team NBA All-Defense and is the all-time NBA career points per game leader at 30.1.
He was elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and also won an NCAA title at North Carolin a in 1982 and two Olympic gold medals with Teaa USA.
His Jordan Brand (a division of NIKE) has been a leader and innovator in athletic shoes and apparel since its creation in 1997. Jordan is also the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise, the Charlotte Hornets.
In the fall of 2020, along with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, he launched a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing.
NBC and the NBA have an 11-year agreement to broadcast games on the network and on Peacock. Games are expected to be shown on Peacock on Monday and doubleheaders on NBC on Tuesday.
NBC will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock.
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