Dallas Mavericks legend and Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is nearing a deal to join Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the NBA starting next season and launch his broadcasting career, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Dirk Nowitzki could potentially cover at least 12 of the 66 NBA regular-season games in 2025-26 with Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video will be airing 66 NBA regular-season games per season starting in the 2025-26 campaign. Although Nowitzki will soon be a part of these new broadcasts, it’s unknown how many of these games he would be required to cover.
NBC will return as a rightsholder after a 24-year break as well. NBC/Peacock is set to begin their 11-year, near $27 billion deal next season. ABC and ESPN will also continue to hold broadcasting rights.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is nearing a deal to join Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the NBA starting next season and launch his broadcasting career, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq pic.twitter.com/DQ99sW0JTx
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 11, 2024
Nowitzki, 46, has made several appearances on broadcasts since he retired from the league in 2019. The 2011 NBA champ already has some commentator experience in both the regular season and postseason.
While the Mavs were facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals last season, the 14-time All-Star joined TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew during Game 1 of the other Western Conference semifinals matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Nowitzki filled in for Shaquille O’Neal alongside Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson.
Nowitzki made his first broadcast appearance on Nov. 25, 2011
His first viral moment as a broadcaster came on Nov. 25, 2011, during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The local broadcast team gave the 7-footer a microphone and let him commentate on the broadcast while he was nursing a knee injury on the Mavs’ bench.
After a crowd-pleasing dunk from center Tyson Chandler off a lob from Jason Kidd, he said, “Take dat wit chew!” Thirteen years later, that still remains a memorable moment for Mavs fans.
Later that season on Jan. 25, 2012, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nowitzki made another guest appearance on the local broadcast while dealing with another knee injury.
During the game, Jason Terry delivered an underhanded alley-oop pass to Brandan Wright, who finished with a dunk. After the incredible play, Nowitzki yelled out, “Shut it down! Let’s go home.”
Amazon Prime Video reached an agreement with Ian Eagle to be its No. 1 play-by-play announcer
Now is the best time for Nowitzki to launch his broadcasting career. In October, Amazon Prime Video reached an agreement with Ian Eagle to be its No. 1 play-by-play announcer.
Other top names the platform is targeting include Blake Griffin, Richard Jefferson, and Stan Van Gundy.
On Tuesday, NBC agreed to a deal with Jamal Crawford to call NBA games. The network is also pursuing TNT’s lead analyst Reggie Miller for its game broadcast, according to reports.
After Sunday Night Football ends, NBC will have Sunday Night Basketball in prime time to end the weekends. ABC/ESPN and Amazon Prime Video are slated to feature extended playoff coverage.
