Basketball: Jordan not gone for long

National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern expects Michael Jordan to make a return to the league in an executive capacity before next season.

"It's my strong sense he will be back in the league for the 2003-2004 season," Stern said.

Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, retired in April at the age of 40 after his second comeback, a difficult two-year stint with the Washington Wizards, whom he had previously served as a part-owner and top executive.

He has been linked to several NBA executive posts, the one most often cited being the expansion franchise for Charlotte that will begin play in the 2004-2005 season.