{
  "id": 7825196,
  "title": "Mike Tirico Addresses Michael Jordan’s NBC Exit, Hopeful He’ll Return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/mike-tirico-addresses-michael-jordans-nbc-exit-hopeful-hell-return",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T16:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mike-tirico-addresses-michael-jordan-163000933.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mike Tirico publicly confirmed that Michael Jordan is not expected to return to NBC's basketball coverage this season, according to Front Office Sports. The face and voice of NBC Sports is hopeful that Jordan changes his mind and returns as a \"special contributor\" to the network's NBA coverage. NBC announced the six-time NBA champion would join its coverage before the 2025-26 season, but Jordan only filmed one extended sit-down interview with Tirico, which was then sliced and diced into various segments. Tirico expressed his enjoyment of the interview and his hope that Jordan might return for more discussions in the future. Jordan's appearances on NBC did not include much commentary on current players or the exciting NBA playoffs, leaving viewers wanting more. Tirico acknowledged that it was the first time Jordan had spoken about basketball since ESPN's landmark docuseries The Last Dance aired in 2020. Tirico expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to interview Jordan and hopes that if Jordan ever returns, Tirico will be on the other side of the couch. NBC's coverage of the NBA, including the return of icons such as Bob Costas and the popular \"Roundball Rock\" theme, was widely praised during its first season as a league rightsholder.",
  "summary": "Jordan won’t return to NBC Sports’s NBA coverage this season.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Front Office Sports",
        "title": "Mike Tirico Addresses Michael Jordan’s NBC Exit, Hopeful He’ll Return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/mike-tirico-addresses-michael-jordans-nbc-exit-hopeful-hell-return-7825491",
        "published": "2026-09-16T16:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}