Mike Tirico Addresses Michael Jordan’s NBC Exit, Hopeful He’ll Return

Mike Tirico publicly confirmed Front Office Sports' report that Michael Jordan is not expected to return to NBC's basketball coverage this season. However, the beloved face and voice of NBC Sports hopes that the six-time NBA champion will change his mind and return as a "special contributor" to the network's NBA coverage. NBC initially announced that Jordan would join their coverage before the 2025-26 season, but he only filmed one extensive interview with Tirico, which was broken down into several segments that aired throughout the season.

Tirico expressed his appreciation for the interview and his desire for Jordan to return and contribute more, stating "It was selfishly great to sit and hang with Michael and to talk basketball and hear his views on the game and his love still for basketball and what it is today." Tirico also noted that it was significant for NBC to get Jordan to speak about basketball, given his reclusive nature, and that he would be honored to be the person on the other side of the couch if Jordan were to return in the future.