Whether as a standout basketball player in the early 1980s or as a high-profile supporter following his professional career, Michael Jordan has continued to influence the University of North Carolina‘s athletic programs. His contributions now extend beyond basketball and into football, particularly at a time when the Tar Heels are gaining renewed attention with six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick stepping in as head coach.
Michael Lombardi, general manager of North Carolina’s football program, discussed Jordan’s involvement during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. According to Lombardi, Jordan’s impact comes from his ongoing engagement with the program rather than from financial contributions alone. “Look, Michael Jordan’s presence is more important than opening up his billfold. Michael Jordan involved with our program is what matters (…) I have three jerseys in my office. I’m in the football office and I hung three jerseys on the wall here – Julius Peppers, the great Lawrence Taylor, and Michael Jordan. That’s who we are,” Lombardi said.
Jordan’s business ventures since retiring from the NBA in 2003 include working with DraftKings and co-owning NASCAR team 23XI Racing. However, for North Carolina staff members like Lombardi, Jordan remains highly influential simply through his association with the university.
“I think to me him wanting to be involved, him wanting to give us the Jordan Brand – which I wear every single day – that’s really important (…) Because no matter how long he’s been away from the game, the kids know Michael Jordan, they know the logo and he has a tremendous impact on them. So financially, to me, that’s more important than that. Sometimes you have to understand the value of what a donor brings to the table, and sometimes it’s not always cash,” said Lombardi.
As anticipation builds for North Carolina’s first game under Coach Belichick—set against TCU on Sept. 1—national media attention is also increasing. ESPN plans coverage from Chapel Hill ahead of kickoff. Belichick commented on managing this spotlight: “We’ve just got to control what we can control (…) We can control our preparation, our attitude and our work ethic going into the game and how hard we compete and our communication. However many people are here or not here or however many hours they talk about it on a network show or don’t talk about it, it’s really nothing in our control. It’s irrelevant to us.”
He added: “We’re trying to focus on what we can control helps us win and helps us prepare for the game. And so, the rest of it is all due respect noise for us. We have to focus on our job and let you guys do your job.”
Enshrinement Week activities at Hall of Fame Campus will continue as planned.
