When NBC announced Caitlin Clark was joining its broadcast team, it sparked an unexpected online debate that had little to do with her and everything to do with Michael Jordan. What could Caitlin Clark’s new TV gig possibly have in common with a controversial, multi-million dollar Michael Jordan deal from the past?

This week, the NBA announced that Clark will join the hosts of “Sunday Night Basketball” on NBC this weekend as a special contributor. Caitlin Clark’s new role as an NBC contributor is official, but the announcement has fans buzzing less about her analysis and more about a surprising comparison to Michael Jordan’s infamous TV deal.

Clark is joining the show as a “special contributor,” working with host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady on pregame commentary. She’ll make her debut on February 1, when the Knicks take on the Lakers at Madison Square Garden.

Besides the Lakers-Knicks game at MSG, Clark will also appear on the show on March 29, when the defending champion Thunder hosts the Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. And Clark is definitely looking forward to it.

“I’m really excited to be part of the ‘Basketball Night in America’ crew this season,” Caitlin Clark said. “Carmelo [Anthony], Vince [Carter], and Tracy [McGrady] are legends of the game, and Maria [Taylor] is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season.”

While it will indeed be interesting to see Clark on TV in a different capacity, some fans couldn’t help but compare her to Michael Jordan. And no, this comparison isn’t about Jordan the player….it’s about the crazy TV deal NBC had with ‘His Airness.’

Social media had plenty to say, so let’s take a look at some of the reactions!

Fans are ready for Caitlin Clark to take the NBC spotlight

“The only way they could replace Michael Jordan as their contributor is with Caitlin Clark. My GOAT,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Caitlin Clark will be on NBC more than Michael Jordan 🙃.” And you can’t really blame them, because they have a solid reason to say this.

When NBC Sports said they’d recruited Michael Jordan for their 2025 NBA coverage, fans were hyped to hear from His Airness. But it quickly became a letdown. Mike Tirico, the NBC analyst who conducted the “Insights to Excellence” interview, revealed that the deal only included one pre-recorded segment with Jordan.

“Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not. Was it better than not hearing from Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was. And if we get another shot at it, will I be more than excited to be a part of it? You bet ya,” Trico said in a conversation with Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated.

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He continued, “In our world right now, all you want to do is make the final answer before you know everything. I love that Michael trusted us enough to sit and do something that he hasn’t done in a long, long, long time. Nothing scheduled as of now that I know of, but it is a possibility. I hope there’s something else after it. Michael was awesome.”

The pre-recorded video was reportedly filmed over two days, according to HITC, and focused on Jordan’s reflections on the modern NBA. What really upset fans was the reported amount Jordan was paid for the deal. As one fan wrote, “Hope Caitlin Clark gets that Michael Jordan money… still laughing at NBC paying Jordan 8 figures just for one interview…”

Reports online have suggested the deal was worth roughly $40 million. That’s forty million for one pre-recorded interview…that’s mind-blowing money. To put that into perspective, Tom Brady’s record-setting FOX Sports deal pays him $37.5 million per year, and MJ would top that with one video if the rumors are true. But neither NBC nor Jordan has confirmed anything.

But moving on to Caitlin Clark, fans are genuinely excited to see her in this new role. “I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Caitlin will contribute more than Michael Jordan. Of course she would clear that low hurdle just by appearing live on set,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, saying,  “Will be tuned in for CC.”

This feels like a match made in heaven. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, and Clark announced a marketing partnership with Xfinity in March 2024. She’s even done TV before, including a cameo on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” last April. And with two live shows already lined up, fans can breathe easy, this is not going to be another Michael Jordan!

How excited are you to watch Caitlin Clark, “the analyst”? Let us know in the comments below!