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Stephen A. Smith's 3-Word Reaction To Michael Jordan Announcement

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 12, 2025 6:47 PM ET

Stephen A. Smith can see Michael Jordan's new media assignment going multiple ways.

On Monday, NBC announced that Jordan will join its NBA team as a "special contributor" next season. Starting this fall, NBC will broadcast NBA games for the first time since 2002.

Like most basketball fans, Smith is excited to hear what Jordan says. However, the ESPN personality also wants to see how the icon handles the new role.

"Is it gonna be the Michael Jordan you see on television? Or is it gonna be the Michael Jordan we speak to?" Smith asked on First Take, via Awful Announcing. "Because if it's the Michael Jordan we speak to, it's gonna be epic."

At the possibility of Jordan discussing basketball the way he would privately, Smith said, "Lord have mercy." On the other hand, he's worried that the 62-year-old will water down his commentary for a national TV audience.

"If it's NBC and the little kids are out there watching and, you know, he wants to mind his manners about every little syllable he utters? Eh, he'll be all right," Smith said. "But that brother ain't used to being all right. He's used to being great."

Some would argue that Tom Brady and Derek Jeter have fallen under that category of former sports stars who are now mundane broadcasters careful not to rock the boat. Athletes of that stature probably realize everything they say will draw significant attention, so Jordan may not want to ignite a firestorm by insisting he's better than LeBron James or criticizing anyone too hard.

However, anyone who watched Last Dance and Jordan's Hall of Fame speech knows he's often fueled by personal grievances. Maybe he'll be more like Charles Barkley than Tom Brady in the NBC studio.

"I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC," Jordan said in NBC's announcement. "The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I'm excited about being a special contributor to the project. I'm looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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