Moment Michael Jordan gazed out from his $115 million yacht and hatched a bold plot to upend his cozy life

Michael Jordan was seen soaking up the sun in Croatia this week after heading on the latest stop of his European getaway with model wife Yvette Prieto.

Following a trip to the Italian island of Sardinia earlier this month, Jordan, 62, and Prieto, 47, headed to Skradin - a small town in Croatia's Sibenik-Knin County - as they continue to enjoy their summer vacation.

It's a holiday with a twist for billionaire Jordan this year, however, which huge anticipation over his return to basketball through his role as an analyst with NBC later this year.

Given the time difference, it's highly unlikely Jordan would have stayed up all night in Europe to watch the NBA Draft in New York on Wednesday night. But an insider close to the basketball great has told Daily Mail how seriously Jordan is taking his new NBA role - and why, given his $3.6billion wealth, he chose to return to the spotlight at all.

'There is just enough time in life that you can be on a yacht, spend all your money on having fun and good times and living life to the fullest. Michael does that and will continue to do that, as he has over the years,' the source said.

'But this summer will be different because he is looking forward to resetting his career and have people remember that he is the best.'

The source continued: 'As far as it may be hard to believe, he did The Last Dance so people would remember him. Now, returning to the NBA through his NBC gig, this is another part of his legacy that he wants to achieve to the greatest potential because he wants people to remember him. 

'He is taking things almost like how George Lucas took Star Wars. George eventually had to go back to the franchise, make the prequels and then it reinvigorated the franchise to where he sold Star Wars to Disney and Star Wars will be now around forever. 

'Michael obviously can't play anymore. But he has to come back and continue to prove to the world he is the best, and the NBC gig is like putting oil back in your car. 

'He wants to show the next generation what they are missing, and he wants the players of today to remember they would have nothing if it wasn't for him and the peers that paved the way for their careers. Michael has seen everyone else do it, now it is his time to be the best in the NBA again, now being behind the mic. 

'He sees the best in other sports, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretsky do it, now Michael is ready to reset the clock and do it himself.'

But for now, family comes first. Jordan isn't letting his restlessness interrupt his time with wife Yvette. 

The couple appeared to ditch the NBA legend's $115million super-yacht for a day out in Skradin on Wednesday. They hopped on board a smaller boat with a large group of friends and family which took them to shore for a day out.

MJ was seen rocking a stylish white bucket hat, matching T-shirt and green-and-white patterned swimming shorts, while Yvette opted for a plunging black swimsuit for the trip.

The six-time NBA champion has remained mostly out of the spotlight since retiring for good in 2003, while he also cut ties with the league entirely in August 2023 when he sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3bn.

Yet following the league's new media rights deal, which will see NBA games broadcast on NBC once again starting in the fall, last month it was announced that Jordan will serve as a 'special contributor' for coverage on both the network and its Peacock streaming service.

'I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,' he said when the news was announced in May. 

'The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I'm excited about being a special contributor to the project. I'm looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.'

While in Sardinia earlier this month, the Chicago Bulls legend was taken aback when he was interrupted on his Italian trip to be told his name had come up at the trial of disgraced rap mogul Diddy.

Testifying under a pseudonym, 'Jane' revealed Diddy's twisted NBA role play where he casted himself as Jordan, her as Kobe Bryant and the male escort she slept with as Shaquille O'Neal.

'Michael was made aware of what Diddy may or may have not got himself into with roleplaying as Michael himself,' a source told Daily Mail.

'Michael is not going to play with any of that, he is steering clear because he thinks it is weird.'

The source continued that he won't let anything interrupt his family time in Europe - a trip he usually takes with Yvette every summer.

Jordan and his family were seen clambering down from his extravagant $70m private jet at the start of their vacation in Sardinia - a Gulfstream 650ER, which holds the record for 'the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history', according to its website.

The lavish aircraft, distinguishable for its custom $500,000 elephant-print paint job, can accommodate up to 19 passengers and four members of crew. 

As well as his huge $115m yacht, known as 'M'BRACE', Jordan is also believed to own an $80m yacht known as 'Joy'. 

Twin daughters Victoria and Ysabel and some extended members of Yvette's family joined them in Sardinia, while the basketball icon's brother-in-law, Carlos Jr, and father-in-law Carlos Sr were also spotted on the trip.