Copyright dailymail
Michael Jordan makes poignant admission about retirement as NBA legend makes NBC debut MORE: The inside story of LeBron James and Kobe Bryan's secret rift By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER Published: 02:42 BST, 22 October 2025 | Updated: 03:55 BST, 22 October 2025 Michael Jordan has confessed that he wishes he could take a 'magic pill' that would allow him to return to the court and challenge the best basketball players of today. 'I miss it,' the NBA legend admitted during his debut on NBC's coverage of Opening Night Tuesday. Jordan is back on TV as part of a new series entitled MJ: Insights to Excellence. In his first conversation with broadcaster Mike Tirico, the six-time NBA champion revealed that he hasn't picked up a basketball in a long time. But Jordan - who retired for the third and final time in 2003- said he would love the chance to take on the sport's new icons. When asked if he still loves the sport, the 62-year-old said: 'I love it like you wouldn't believe. 'In all honesty, I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today. Because that's who I am. “We have an obligation to pay it forward. That’s part of what this is all about.” Watch Michael Jordan’s first conversation with Mike Tirico in the first edition of MJ: Insights To Excellence. pic.twitter.com/7tfzGm6SpM — NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 22, 2025 Michael Jordan has said he wishes he could take a 'magic pill' and return to the court The 62-year-old - a six-time NBA champion - retired for the third and final time in 2003 'That type of competition, that type of competitiveness is what I live for. And I miss it! I miss that aspect of playing basketball - being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball. 'But it's better for me to be sitting here talking to you, as opposed to popping my Achilles and I'm in a wheelchair for a while!' The first segment of MJ: Insights to Excellence aired at halftime of the opening game of the new NBA season between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. When asked why he had returned to the sport, Jordan explained that he felt he had a duty to 'pay it forward.' 'I have the obligation to the game of basketball - not financially, I'm okay. I think more or less, as a basketball player, it's to be able to pass on messages of success and dedication to the game of basketball.' Jordan also opened up on why he has been so reclusive for so much of his retirement. 'It's amazing, you never really know - when you're in the prime of your career - how much time you really do not have for family. That's what I have time to do now. The most valuable asset I have is time,' he explained. 'So that's probably why you don't see enough of me. Because that time I'm trying to spend with family members and things I've been missing out on for such a long time.' Michael JordanNBA Share or comment on this article: Michael Jordan makes poignant admission about retirement as NBA legend makes NBC debut Add comment
