The GOAT is officially stepping back into the spotlight—this time with a microphone in hand.

Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP whose name is synonymous with excellence, is entering a brand-new chapter as a special contributor for NBC’s upcoming NBA coverage. The news, first highlighted during NBC’s Upfront presentation, was shared through a video message from Jordan himself, with the network later confirming the announcement in a celebratory post (ESPN).

“A legendary addition to our team! We’re thrilled to welcome Michael Jordan as a special contributor to the NBA on NBC and Peacock,” the network captioned—an accurate reflection of the seismic buzz surrounding the reveal (Associated Press).

NBC’s long-awaited return to NBA broadcasting begins with the 2025–26 season, marking its first time airing league games since 2002. Jordan’s exact role remains confidential, but the symbolism is unmistakable: the star who defined the iconic NBA on NBC era is returning just as the network reclaims the broadcast rights. His presence is expected to bridge generations of fans, bringing unmatched insight from the player widely considered the greatest to ever touch a basketball (Sports Illustrated).

Remarkably, this will be Jordan’s first television role connected to NBA coverage since his final retirement in 2003—a full-circle moment for both NBC and the millions who grew up watching him dominate the airwaves during the league’s golden era (The Athletic).

Since leaving the court, Jordan has continued building an extraordinary legacy off it. He served as the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets from 2010 to 2023, becoming the first former NBA player to hold majority ownership of a franchise in league history (New York Times). In 2020, he expanded his impact beyond basketball with the launch of 23XI Racing, a NASCAR Cup Series team he co-founded with driver Denny Hamlin. The team has since secured high-profile wins and helped push the sport toward greater diversity and visibility (Associated Press).

Jordan has also remained a global cultural force—his Jordan Brand partnership with Nike continues to dominate sneaker culture, athletes across sports reference him as the blueprint for competitive greatness, and documentaries like The Last Dance reaffirmed his status as an economic and storytelling powerhouse (ESPN).

Now, as NBC prepares to return to the NBA stage, Jordan’s involvement feels both nostalgic and visionary. His unparalleled understanding of the game, combined with the aura that still follows him everywhere he goes, positions him as the perfect figure to help usher in a new era of NBA storytelling.

From soaring above defenders in Chicago to reshaping ownership conversations and elevating motorsports, Michael Jordan has never stopped evolving. And now, with a microphone and a new platform, he’s set to guide, influence, and inspire yet another generation of basketball fans—and perhaps redefine sports broadcasting just as he once redefined the game itself.