Michael Jordan wants to come back: “I wish there was a magic pill”

It’s been over two decades since Michael Jordan officially stepped away from the NBA as a player. Since then, he’s been an owner, a mentor, and a living legend. But in his recent debut as a “special contributor” on NBC, the Chicago Bulls icon didn’t hold back: if he could, he’d suit up and compete again. “I wish I could take a magic pill, put on some shorts, and go play basketball today,” Jordan said with a nostalgic smile during his sit-down with Mike Tirico.

At 62, Michael Jordan knows his body isn’t built for the grind anymore. “I don’t want to tear my Achilles and end up in a wheelchair,” he joked, though the sentiment was serious. Time catches up with everyone—even the greatest. Still, his love for the game hasn’t faded. What Jordan misses isn’t just the ball—it’s the battle, the fire that made him a legend.

A quiet comeback

Outlets like Firstsportz highlighted a revealing moment. During the Ryder Cup, Michael Jordan was invited to shoot a free throw on a private court. “I was more nervous than I’ve been in years,” he admitted. The homeowner had told his kids who the guest was, and the pressure to deliver was real. Fortunately, the shot went in, and Jordan celebrated it like a buzzer-beater. “It was the best part of my weekend,” he said.

“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

His return to television isn’t about contracts or paychecks. After selling his stake in the Charlotte Hornets for a reported $3 billion, Michael Jordan doesn’t need extra income. “I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing it because I owe something to basketball,” he explained. His goal is to give back to the sport that gave him everything—by sharing his experience and guiding the next generation.

Michael Jordan doesn’t want to play again out of ego. He wants to return because he still feels the drive to compete, to teach, to inspire. And while there’s no magic pill, his presence remains fuel for the soul of basketball.