Tirico Defends NBC’s Michael Jordan Interview: ‘Completely Worth It’

Nearly a year has passed since NBC Sports aired Mike Tirico's interview with Michael Jordan, despite some viewers criticizing the network for emphasizing Jordan's role as a "special contributor" in securing NBA rights. In a recent appearance at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit, Tirico defended the interview, stating that its relevance persists to this day.

"I love the fact that we did one interview—and you can say what you want about it airing once or being spread out over our series of pregame shows during the year—it's a year later and people are still talking about it," Tirico remarked. "And people are still asking about it. Which, to me, is all the reason that it was completely worth it."

Jordan's participation in the interview consisted of a single conversation, which was divided into multiple segments that appeared throughout the season. The discussion did not revolve around current NBA news or specific players, but instead focused on general topics like load management and Jordan's personal passion for basketball.

While some viewers expected Jordan to address players like LeBron James or the Clippers-Kawhi Leonard scandal, Tirico maintained that the interview remained authentic to Jordan's character. "I think Michael Jordan hadn't been on TV for a long time for a reason," Tirico told Ryan Glasspiegel. "He likes being Michael Jordan. Even still, when he's on camera, there's an aura about Michael Jordan that is just different.

Sitting across from him. It's just a different feel. I think he is above the daily discourse of, 'Hey, who is the best point guard in the NBA right now?' and 'who's the best this or the best that?'"

Although FOS reported earlier this year that Jordan is unlikely to return to NBC's coverage for the upcoming NBA season, Tirico expressed a willingness to welcome another segment with the six-time NBA champion, regardless of the topics discussed. "I will say that it was damn cool to hang with MJ and talk basketball, and talk business and golf and all that other stuff," Tirico said.

"If he wanted to be—we would all run to have him on every single day. But that's just not what he wants to do, I think, at this point in his career and life."