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Basketball fans were totally surprised when Michael Jordan, yes, the Michael Jordan, announced that he’s going to be a special contributor for NBC’s NBA coverage. Nobody really saw it coming, and people are already buzzing about what this could mean.
We all know that anything Jordan says is going to matter. He’s widely seen as the greatest basketball player of all time. So even if he just gives a few thoughts here and there, people are going to hang on every word. His opinions carry serious weight.
But why is he doing this now? That’s what everyone’s wondering. It seemed like he had stepped back from the spotlight. But now, he’s stepping right into the media world. Some think it might just be out of the blue, but one of Jordan’s fellow NBA legends, Dominique Wilkins, who used to dominate the court for the Atlanta Hawks, says he’s pretty sure he knows what’s going on: Michael Jordan’s getting a fat paycheck.
“I was shocked,” Wilkins said. “And I know this: if Jordan is doing this, it’s got to be a huge payday. Huge. I’ve seen some of the rumours about how much he’s getting paid, and honestly, I get it.”
We still don’t know exactly what Jordan’s role is going to look like. He’s not taking on a regular commentator or analyst job like we usually see. It sounds like it’ll be something more unique, maybe him just sharing thoughts, telling stories, or breaking down major plays and players in his own legendary way.
This move is also part of a growing trend. More and more sports icons, the so-called “GOATs,” are stepping into the TV world. Tom Brady is doing it. Wayne Gretzky is doing it. And now Jordan’s jumping in, too.
Wilkins is actually excited about it. He said, “We’re going to get a look at basketball from the mind of the greatest player ever. How can you even argue with that? When he talks about the game, it’s coming from someone who did it better than just about anyone else. That’s going to be really cool to see.”
And of course, people are already wondering, will Jordan talk about LeBron James? Everyone knows the LeBron vs. Jordan GOAT debate. So hearing MJ talk about LeBron on national TV could be huge.
But it’s not just about modern-day players. Jordan might also share stories from his playing days, epic tales from the ‘80s and ‘90s. We already got a taste of how entertaining he can be in The Last Dance documentary. And now we might get more of that, but live, and on a regular basis.
Some legendary athletes don’t do so well when they get into TV, they can be awkward or not very fun to watch. But Jordan? He might just nail it. He was a showstopper on the court, and he might be one on the screen, too.
Let’s see if MJ swishes this next big move, just like he always did with the game on the line.