Title: “Jordan Reigns Again: UNC Legend Named Among TIME 100 Most Influential in Sports”
In a triumphant moment that bridges past glory with present impact, University of North Carolina men’s basketball icon Michael Jordan has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports, a recognition that goes far beyond his six NBA championships or global brand empire. The honor cements Jordan’s status not only as the greatest basketball player of all time, but as a cultural architect and philanthropic force still shaping the future of sport.
TIME’s editors praised Jordan not merely for his on-court legacy, but for the “unmatched influence he continues to wield across generations, industries, and communities.”
Though he hasn’t played a professional game in over two decades, Jordan’s footprint in the sports world remains immense—and evolving. His ownership of the Charlotte Hornets, while recently reduced to minority stakes, transformed how former athletes transition into executive leadership. His Air Jordan brand under Nike remains the gold standard for athlete-endorsed merchandise, with yearly revenues topping $6 billion.
But it’s Jordan’s off-the-court efforts that truly elevated him to TIME’s elite list this year.
In the past 12 months alone, Jordan donated $100 million through the Jordan Brand to advance racial equity, education, and social justice causes across the United States. His philanthropic arm, “The Jordan Impact Initiative,” launched youth mentorship programs in 10 cities, partnered with HBCUs for scholarships, and helped fund community basketball courts in underserved neighborhoods.
“He’s not just a retired athlete—he’s a movement,” TIME wrote. “Jordan’s influence radiates through sneakers, scholarships, social justice, and standards of excellence.”
Back in Chapel Hill, the news was met with celebration. UNC held a tribute ceremony at the Dean Smith Center, where current Tar Heels players wore commemorative Jordan Brand warmups emblazoned with the words: “Legacy Lives Here.”
“To us, he’s more than a legend. He’s a blueprint,” said UNC head coach Hubert Davis, who played alongside Jordan during alumni events and now mentors the next generation in his shadow. “He showed the world that you don’t stop impacting the game just because you stop playing it.”
Even LeBron James, often compared to Jordan in the never-ending GOAT debate, praised the honor. “Mike laid the foundation. Everything we build in this sport—on and off the court—traces back to him,” James said on Instagram. “Well deserved.”
Jordan, ever the private figure, issued a rare statement via the Jordan Brand:
> “I’ve always believed sport has the power to change lives. I’m grateful to be recognized not just for what I did with a ball, but what I hope to build through it. The work continues.”
Now 62, Jordan remains a living link between eras—the high-flying icon of the 90s, the visionary businessman of the 2000s, and the philanthropic force of today. His influence is not frozen in highlight reels but alive in every young athlete chasing greatness, every entrepreneur launching a dream, and every community given hope through his giving.
TIME’s honor isn’t just a celebration of what Jordan was. It’s a recognition of what he still is—an enduring symbol of excellence, empowerment, and evolution.
Michael Jordan: Once a Tar Heel, forever a titan.
