Overview
- Jordan’s first “MJ: Insights to Excellence” aired at halftime as a roughly three- to four-minute pre-recorded conversation with Mike Tirico, where he said he joined to “pay it forward” and described rarely touching a basketball in recent years.
- The segment included Jordan’s Ryder Cup anecdote about nervously shooting — and making — a single free throw for a homeowner’s grandchildren.
- NBC said the next installment will air Oct. 28, teasing Jordan’s views on load management and why he aimed to play all 82 games.
- Fans and critics praised the return of “Roundball Rock,” in-arena player introductions, and NBC’s crisp visuals, with Tirico drawing strong reviews for command and tone.
- Pregame audio glitches drew notice, and NBC’s AI-generated recreation of late narrator Jim Fagin’s voice — created with family permission — prompted pushback.