Michael Jordan will be part of NBC coverage when the league returns to the network next season. We're still not sure what that would be like.
NBC only described Jordan's role as a "special contributor" in the announcement, with no other details. CNBC's Alex Sherman provided more clarity on Thursday, reporting that Jordan's initial plan was to provide analysis in videotapes that would be aired in pre-match shows and half-time shows while leaving the door open.
advertise
CNBC also noted that the deal with Jordan was arranged by NBC sports director Jon Miller.
NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico, who will be part of NBA coverage, also talked about Jordan’s role during a appearance on the Dan Patrick Show on Thursday, saying he doesn’t know much about the “Special Contributor” title and he is “excited that (Jordan) will even consider doing so.”
Tirico is a broadcaster player for Jordan:
“It’s obviously an incredible career starting with the time of management and ownership, and how the game goes, and I think there’s a unique space to hear from Michael where the game can be heard from Michael.
"You don't want Michael to sit at the table to trade the moment's opinions about the moment. I want to hear that at a very high level. I don't know that shows up. I wish I could be involved, but look, look, have a chance to hear Michael Jordan talking about basketball, I'm signing."
Patrick agreed and made a suggestion that Jordan could follow the lead of "Details: Kobe Bryant," where the late Los Angeles Lakers star would sit and break the video of modern NBA and WNBA stars, usually with the help of co-hosts.
Michael Jordan's TV career seems to be a helping hand of NBC's sports director. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
(Associated Press)No matter what Jordan does in the end, people may still be interested, and that's the point. NBC's role as Jordan is also an integral part of the clear nostalgic drama, which also gained the right to its old "circular rock" national anthem, even revealing that it will use AI to recreate the voice of late announcer Jim Fagan.
advertise
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said they will broadcast pre-match player introductions, which are part of the game and rarely displayed in modern radio after becoming a major reason for Jordan in the 1990s.
As for the rest of the broadcast, Tirico and Noah Eagle will be responsible for gaming responsibilities, and Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford from TNT will be Color commentators. Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter also joined the network as studio analysts.