CONGRATULATIONS: UNC Legend Michael Jordan Named to TIME 100 Most Influential in Sports — Legacy Cemented Beyond Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a moment that blends legacy with legend, Michael Jordan—the North Carolina Tar Heel icon, six-time NBA champion, and global brand powerhouse—has officially been named to TIME 100’s Most Influential People in Sports for 2025. It’s a symbolic honor that not only commemorates his towering influence on basketball, but celebrates his far-reaching impact across business, culture, and social progress.
At 62 years old, Jordan remains more than just a retired athlete. He is a cultural institution, a business mogul, and a symbol of competitive greatness. But this TIME 100 distinction—his first in the sports-specific edition of the magazine—recognizes the entirety of his influence, from his days as a Tar Heel under Dean Smith to becoming the first Black majority owner of an NBA franchise and a global ambassador for sport and philanthropy.
> “Michael didn’t just change basketball,” TIME’s write-up reads.
“He changed the way the world sees athletes—and what athletes can become.”
A UNC LEGEND WHO NEVER STOPPED WINNING
Jordan’s journey started humbly at the University of North Carolina, where he hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship as a freshman. That singular moment foreshadowed a career of clutch heroics, trailblazing decisions, and unmatched excellence.
Even today, Jordan remains a central figure in Tar Heel lore. The university celebrated his TIME 100 selection with a special ceremony at the Dean E. Smith Center, unveiling a commemorative banner alongside a new student-athlete leadership scholarship in his name.
> “Mike is the standard we measure ourselves by,” said current UNC head coach Hubert Davis (fictional quote).
“This honor just reminds the world what Tar Heels already know—his legacy reaches far beyond the court.”
FROM SNEAKERS TO SOCIAL IMPACT
The TIME 100 accolade also spotlights Jordan’s transformative role in business. His Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike, surpassed $7 billion in annual revenue last year—an almost mythical figure in the world of athlete-driven business.
Beyond the boardroom, Jordan has quietly emerged as one of the most active philanthropists in sports. Since 2020, he has donated over $150 million to causes ranging from racial equality to medical research. Just last year, his Michael Jordan Institute for Social Leadership opened its first campus in Charlotte.
> “Influence isn’t about headlines,” Jordan shared in the TIME interview.
“It’s about impact. I just want to keep showing people—especially young athletes—what’s possible.”
A LIVING BLUEPRINT
Jordan’s inclusion on the TIME 100 list places him alongside current icons like Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi. But what sets MJ apart is longevity—the rare ability to remain relevant, inspiring, and powerful long after the final buzzer.
Whether it’s through his fierce competitiveness, business acumen, or commitment to social change, Michael Jordan is more than a sports figure.
He’s a blueprint.
And as UNC fans proudly echo across generations:
Once a Tar Heel, always the GOAT. 🐏🏀
This piece is a work of factual fiction, written for entertainment purposes.
