Nothing in the NBA happens without the Commissioner’s consent. Adam Silver holds his crown perfectly, well, he has to. If not him, then who else? But then, there is someone who has surpassed everything: posts, designations, games, and more in the league. And that is His Airness, Michael Jordan. The best news is, he is coming back to the league in a new avatar. Not as a player, not as a coach. He’s already there as the minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. But this time, the roots go deep.

MJ is stepping back into the NBA spotlight—this time, off the court. Starting next season, he’ll join NBC and Peacock as a special contributor, marking a nostalgic full-circle moment. With NBC returning to NBA broadcasting after more than two decades, the league’s greatest icon reclaims his old stage—only now, the voice is his weapon. Sitting for a conversation with Dan Patrick, Adam Silver shared his degree of involvement in this showbiz.

“Not at all. You mean just now, this announcement, they’re bringing him back. They told me they were going to try, and I said good luck. I honestly didn’t think he was going to do it. It took us decades to convince him to do the documentary The Last Dance,” Silver confessed. He had no hope that the 62-year-old Hall of Famer would agree to step into the spotlight after rejecting multiple offers over the years.

Adam Silver didn’t hold back his surprise. It took decades to bring Michael Jordan on board for The Last Dance. They had the footage. The story was waiting. But MJ wasn’t. He kept saying no. Then, during the pandemic, everything changed. The world paused. Jordan finally said yes. The doc became a smash. One of Netflix’s most-watched. Timing was everything.

Now, something similar is unfolding. NBC is back in the NBA game. Jordan is, too. Silver says it’s no coincidence. MJ has deep ties to NBC. Familiar faces like John Miller and Mark Lazarus might have helped in Jordan’s decision. Those bonds matter. That comfort counts. And just like before, Jordan said yes when no one expected it. For fans, it feels magical again. Thus, the Commissioner added, “So, I think he had those relationships. I didn’t discourage them, but I was surprised he said yes.”

Meanwhile, it feels like Michael Jordan never left the NBA. Now, why would you feel that way, you might be wondering? It will be clear once you know the private conversation he repeatedly had with the Commissioner about the league and the teams. So what if he’s not from the modern era of basketball? Passion runs in his blood!

Adam Silver revealed secret conversations with Michael Jordan amidst NBC recruitment

MJ’s role at NBC remains a mystery for now. Meanwhile, the Commissioner had no idea what was going on with the broadcasting moguls. Later, when they informed Silver, he was left baffled. “They told me what their idea was for him in that role. I think they’re still working through that. I spoke to Michael about it. He’s excited about it,” Adam Silver shared.

“For him, it means he’s got to stay current with the game. He’s a small owner still in Charlotte. He’s so passionate about it. We talk about it all the time. He wants the game to be played the right way. He’s still got a huge business around the game with the Jordan Brand. More importantly, he watches a lot of basketball. He knows it’s what defines him still. I think fans are going to enjoy hearing his take on the modern league,” the Commissioner concluded.

So, the emperor of the court is finding his voice again. Michael Jordan may no longer play, but his presence still echoes through the league. From secret chats with the Commissioner to shaping the game’s future on NBC, he is all in. This time, it’s not about scoring points. It is about sharing wisdom. And fans cannot wait.