While the Ryder Cup symbolized a battle between the United States and Europe in Golf, all eyes at the event were set on the audience as stars came out to show support for their country in Farmingdale, New York. Among the audience were some star-studded celebrities, including NBA legend Michael Jordan, Celtics veteran Brian Scalabrine, Cooper Flagg, and others.
NBA fans went wild on social media as they witnessed the first public interaction between Flagg and Jordan. The No. 1 pick of the NBA Draft was seen dapping up the Bulls legend at the Ryder Cup as fans took to social media to express their opinion.
MJ 🤝 Coop
Epic link up at the Ryder Cup ⛳️@PGA @RyderCupUSA // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/pullgt0DCq
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) September 27, 2025
“Is saying hi to Jordan a ritual now?”
“Yup — he’s signing to Jordan brand lol,” said a fan as he predicted the Mavericks’ starlet would leave New Balance to join Nike if Jordan asked him to join his brand.
“Generational hoops legends linking up, you love to see it.”
Jordan also met and was photographed with his new NBC colleagues Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Scalabrine as well, which left fans online in disbelief. Many fans least expected to see Scalabrine in this picture, despite him being the only other player in this picture with a championship. A lot of fans ensured that they reminded people of that fact.
Carmelo Anthony with Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady & Brian Scalabrine at the Ryder Cup pic.twitter.com/BrWdiot2Yj
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 28, 2025
“One of these doesn’t belong.”
“Two Champs with Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.”
“Former NBA star Brian Scalabrine and some random bums.”
“Brian Scalabrine is the GOAT in this picture. He makes it so much more vibrant.”
“Great to see MJ alongside the GOAT Brian Scalabrine!”
While fans were seemingly being facetious, they seemed genuinely in awe of seeing so many stars together in the same photo. Jordan will now be colleagues with Scalabrine, McGrady, Carter, and Anthony as they are a part of NBC’s coverage team for the NBA in the 2025-26 season. Thus, the Ryder Cup meet-up became an ice-breaker for the new crew.
At the end of the Cup, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm led Europe as it retained its title, and the United States lost 15-13.
This is not the first time Jordan has attended the Ryder Cup. He might have attended at least four of the last ten times professionals contested for the Ryder Cup. His iconic interview with Stephen Curry was also from the Ryder Cup in 2021. This shows that Jordan’s objective at the Cup was not just the ice-breaker but also his true love for the sport, which he has been doing passionately for over a decade now.
