Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the NBA prepares to tip off its 2025-26 season with a doubleheader on NBC, marking the network's highly anticipated return to basketball broadcasting. But that's not the only headline-grabbing development—Chicago Bulls legend and basketball icon Michael Jordan is making his debut as a special contributor for NBC, bringing his legendary perspective to fans in a new and intriguing way.
Back in May 2025, NBC sent shockwaves through the sports world by announcing that Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, would join their NBA coverage as a special contributor. While the initial news was met with widespread excitement, NBC kept details about Jordan's precise role under wraps, fueling speculation and anticipation throughout the off-season. Now, with just hours to go before opening night, more information has finally come to light.
On Sunday night, during NBC's coverage of "Sunday Night Football," play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico dropped a tantalizing teaser: Jordan would sit down with Tirico for a special interview set to air during Tuesday's NBA doubleheader. Footage of the interview rolled in the background, with a graphic reading "MJ: Insights to Excellence"—the official title of Jordan's new series—appearing in the corner. The announcement was quickly followed by a formal press release from NBC Sports on Monday, confirming that the first portion of Jordan's interview would air during halftime of the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game on opening night, October 21, 2025.
So, what exactly is "MJ: Insights to Excellence"? According to NBC, the series will run throughout the 2025-26 NBA season, featuring Jordan in a recurring role that promises to deliver his unique take on the game. While the network has yet to reveal the full scope of the series—leaving fans to wonder whether Jordan will analyze today's stars, break down game film, or simply reflect on his storied career—one thing is clear: any opportunity to hear Jordan discuss basketball is a rare treat.
Jordan's new on-air role represents a significant shift for the Hall of Famer. As noted in coverage from CBS Sports, "Jordan has never been an on-air talent guy, but doing it with NBC makes sense given he was practically the face of basketball coverage on NBC throughout his and the Chicago Bulls dynastic run in the '90s." Indeed, all six of Jordan's NBA championships came during the 1990s, a golden era for the league when NBC was the home of the NBA Finals. The nostalgia factor is undeniable, and NBC is clearly banking on Jordan's star power to help re-establish its presence in the basketball broadcast world.
The content of "MJ: Insights to Excellence" remains somewhat of a mystery. Will Jordan offer a deep dive into the intricacies of the modern game, perhaps in the style of Kobe Bryant's acclaimed "Detail" series for ESPN? Or will the series focus more on Jordan's own journey, sharing the "keys" to his success and revisiting legendary moments from his career? As CBS Sports speculated, "If this is just similar in vein to The Last Dance, with clips of Jordan's glory days interspersed with nuggets of knowledge from him on what it takes to be 'great,' then it might not be that appealing. Still, though, whatever it is, getting Jordan to sit down for any interview about basketball is no small feat. So even if it is just him talking about his playing days, it will surely still entertain fans."
Jordan's partnership with NBC is just one part of a broader effort by the network to make a splash as it regains NBA broadcasting rights. NBC last aired NBA games in 2002, but after striking an 11-year agreement with the league in July 2025, the network is back in a big way. The deal includes coverage of 100 regular season games each year, two primetime windows per week (Tuesdays and a Peacock-exclusive doubleheader on Mondays), Sunday Night Basketball after the NFL season, and a slate of playoff games. Opening night will see the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets, followed by a marquee matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both games will air on NBC and Peacock, offering fans a double dose of high-stakes action right out of the gate.
Jordan won't be the only NBA superstar lending his voice to NBC's coverage. The network has assembled a star-studded crew for opening night, with Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady set to appear on the pre-game show hosted by Maria Taylor. During the Rockets-Thunder game, Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford will join the broadcast team, while Grant Hill will provide analysis for the Lakers-Warriors showdown. It's a who's who of basketball legends, each bringing their own flavor and insight to the new NBC lineup.
Of course, Jordan's relationship with NBC extends beyond basketball. Since 2021, he has occasionally appeared on the network as a NASCAR team owner, giving fans a glimpse into his post-NBA ventures with 23XI Racing. But make no mistake: his return to the NBA airwaves is what has everyone buzzing. The prospect of Jordan sharing his thoughts—whether on the current state of the league, the evolution of the game, or the intangibles that define greatness—has the potential to captivate both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
The anticipation is palpable. With the 2025-26 NBA season about to tip off, all eyes will be on NBC and, perhaps more than anyone else, on Michael Jordan. Will "MJ: Insights to Excellence" become essential viewing for basketball aficionados? Will Jordan's insights spark new debates about what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the sport? Or will his presence simply remind fans of the glory days when NBC and MJ ruled the basketball world together?
As the countdown to opening night nears its end, one thing is certain: NBC's bold move to bring Michael Jordan back into the spotlight has already succeeded in igniting the imagination of the basketball community. Whether he's breaking down the finer points of a pick-and-roll or reflecting on the championship moments that defined his career, Jordan's voice is sure to add a new layer of excitement to NBC's NBA coverage. And with a star-studded cast of analysts and contributors joining him, the stage is set for a season filled with drama, insight, and plenty of surprises.
With everything still to play for, the NBA's return to NBC—and Michael Jordan's new chapter as an on-air contributor—promises to be one of the most talked-about stories of the season. The curtain rises Tuesday night, and fans everywhere will be watching, eager to see what "MJ: Insights to Excellence" will bring to the hardwood and beyond.
