Michael Jordan hasn’t appeared in a video game for a long, long time so when 2K Sports announced that it had secured the greatest player of all time to appear on the cover of NBA 2K11, it was a big deal. This week, that cover art was released.

The art style is markedly different from those of the past to reflect the significance of having Jordan on the cover. The image itself is iconic, a characteristic depiction MJ with tongue hanging out and all.

It might seem like an over exaggeration but there’s little doubt that this truly is the most highly anticipated sports video game cover of all time. Not simply because MJ is one of the greatest athletes to have ever competed, but because so very few game have even feature him as a player that having him appear on the cover is quite a monumental departure from the norm.

Jason Argent, marketing VP for 2K Sports said “I think fans will be pleasantly surprised at how Jordan is actually used in game, as NBA 2K11 will pay homage to ‘His Airness’ in many ways…”