Michael Jordan’s reported $40 million NBC salary debunked
When Michael Jordan declared his return to the NBA scene —not as a player, but as a special contributor for NBC’s upcoming NBA coverage — rumors began to swirl. The most outrageous? That NBC had enticed the Chicago Bulls legend back with an unbelievable $40 million per year deal, making him the highest-paid sports analyst ever. But is that figure correct? Let’s distinguish fact from fiction.
Michael Jordan’s new NBC role and What’s has been confirmed so far
NBC revealed on May 12, 2025, that Michael Jordan will be part of its NBA broadcast team as a special contributor when the network gets back the NBA broadcasting rights for the 2025–26 season through an 11-year, $76 billion agreement. Jordan shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC.”
Another thing to note is that the specifics of Jordan’s position are not entirely clear. Reports suggest that his main contributions will be pre-recorded segments shown during pregame and halftime, rather than live commentary. This limited role has sparked questions about the legitimacy of the reported $40 million annual pay.
If the $40 million number is right, it would beat Tom Brady’s $37.5 million yearly deal with Fox Sports, making Jordan the highest-paid sports analyst ever. But, neither NBC nor Jordan’s team has verified this figure. Considering Jordan’s small role and his lack of experience in broadcasting, experts in the industry are doubtful about how accurate this number really is.
Additionally, with Jordan’s impressive net worth—around $3.5 billion, thanks to his thriving partnership with Nike’s Air Jordan brand and various other business endeavors—the financial aspect might not be the main reason he’s coming back to the NBA limelight.
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It looks like NBC is using Jordan to attract old fans and grow their audience for NBA games. Since he spent a large part of his playing career with NBC, watching the network replay all six of his Chicago Bulls titles feels nostalgic for fans who have followed him closely.
Even though the precise information regarding Jordan’s role and salary is not public, his engagement is likely to improve NBC’s NBA coverage, which will also showcase notable figures like Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, and Carmelo Anthony.
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA as a special contributor for NBC has created a lot of excitement. However, the claim that he’s making $40 million a year hasn’t been verified and seems a bit off considering his expected role.
While fans are eager to see his contributions to the broadcasts, the actual details of his contract are still a bit of a mystery. Right now, Jordan’s return is a symbol of the link between the NBA’s legendary past and its lively future, reigniting passion among basketball lovers.
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