Michael Jordan is joining NBC Sports as a special contributor to its NBA coverage when the 2025-26 season begins.

NBC made the announcement on Monday morning during its upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall previewing the networks offerings during the upcoming television season.

“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said during a video message. “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.”

NBC returns to carrying the NBA after a 23-year absence. It had NBA rights from 1990 through 2002 and carried all six of Jordan’s championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

This is the first time Jordan has joined a network. His appearances and comments during the 2020 “The Last Dance” documentary about his career and the end of the Bulls dynasty in 1998 created plenty of headlines.

Dallas Mavericks win Draft Lottery >> The ping-pong balls have spoken: Cooper Flagg might be headed to Dallas to start his NBA career.

And a fan base that lost Luka Doncic this season might have a new star to cheer for.

The Mavericks won the NBA draft lottery on Monday night, giving them the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft — and the first chance to take Flagg, the freshman who led Duke to the Final Four in his lone college season and the consensus player of the year.

Dallas bucked huge odds to get it done, with only a 1.8% chance to win the lottery. A Mavs team that went to the NBA Finals last season, then scorned its fans by trading away Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, left Chicago with the biggest prize.

San Antonio — with back-to-back rookies of the year in Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle — will pick second, Philadelphia will pick third, and Charlotte will pick fourth.

Horse racing

Junior Alvarado considering appeal of fine and suspension >> Jockey Junior Alvarado is considering appealing a fine and suspension for using his whip eight times on Sovereignty in winning the Kentucky Derby on May 3.

Alvarado was fined $62,000 and suspended two days by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, whose rules allow a rider to use a whip six times in a race.

He has 10 days to inform HISA if he plans to appeal.

Baseball

Dodgers acquire outfielder from Blue Jays >> The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Steward Berroa from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.

Berroa was designated for assignment last week.

The 25-year-old made his major league debut last year and hit .189 with six stolen bases in 28 games for the Blue Jays. He has been in their farm system for eight years, batting .250 with 34 home runs and 207 RBIs.

NFL

Browns place Owusu-Koramoah on PUP list >> Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list by the Cleveland Browns and will miss the 2025 season because of a neck injury.

Owusu-Koramoah suffered the injury last season during the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 27.

He took a blow to the head and neck area while assisting on a tackle of Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Owusu-Koramoah was wearing a protective padded guardian cap over his helmet but appeared to be unconscious when he hit the ground.

Owusu-Koramoah was leading the Browns with 61 tackles and having his best season at the time when he was injured.

Bengals, Hendrickson in deadlock on extension >> Defensive end Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals remain deadlocked on progress toward a new deal or finding a new team.

Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season, released a statement to ESPN on Monday saying there has been no communication between his representatives or the organization since the NFL draft two weeks ago.

Hendrickson was an All-Pro selection last season. He received permission from the Bengals to seek a trade in March, but no progress has been made. Hendrickson also requested a trade last year before the NFL draft, but the Bengals did not grant the request.

Broadcast

ESPN’s Berman signs extension >> Chris Berman has agreed to a new contract with ESPN that will take him through the network’s 50th anniversary in 2029.

Berman celebrated his 70th birthday on Saturday.

Berman has been an integral part of ESPN since joining the network a month after its launch in September of 1979. Besides being one of the original “SportsCenter” anchors, he has been a key part of the network’s NFL and baseball coverage.