Michael Jordan will continue his limited involvement in NBC's NBA coverage as a special contributor, focusing on pre-taped interviews rather than live game analysis. The series 'MJ: Insights to Excellence' features Jordan sharing personal reflections on the game and critiquing modern NBA practices like load management. This comes as part of NBC/Peacock's new 11-year, $27 billion deal with the NBA.
Michael Jordan's participation in NBC/Peacock's NBA broadcasts will remain minimal, according to reports from Front Office Sports. As a 'special contributor' in the 'MJ: Insights to Excellence' series, Jordan is expected to appear in 2-3 additional sitdown interviews, conducted by NBC's Mike Tirico. These pre-taped segments will not include live breakdowns of games, keeping his role focused on insights rather than real-time commentary.
In his first interview, Jordan expressed a deep longing for the sport he dominated. 'Love it like you wouldn’t believe… Honestly I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today, because that’s who I am. That type of competition is what I live for,' he said. He added, 'And I miss it. I miss that aspect of playing the game of basketball, being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball, but it’s better for me to be sitting here talking to you as opposed to popping my achilles and being in a wheelchair for a while.'
Jordan's second interview took a critical stance on the NBA's load management policy, where stars rest during regular-season games to preserve health for playoffs. 'Well, it shouldn't be needed, first and foremost,' he stated. 'You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.' He continued, 'I was going to find a way to get out there, even if I was a decoy... Next thing you know, the emotions, the situation, the need of the team. All those things catapulted me to, 'I'm going to gut this thing out.''
This coverage is part of NBC/Peacock's comprehensive 11-year, $27 billion agreement with the NBA, which includes rights to nationally televised games, the All-Star Game, and All-Star Saturday Night events.