Dirk Nowitzki, 47, officially retired from the NBA in 2019.
The German basketball star, who won an NBA championship in 2011, taking down LeBron, Dwyane Wade and the Mavericks, will be back around the sport starting with the 2025-26 season, as an analyst for Amazon Prime.
Nowitzki looks “unrecognizable” in a new photo on the cover of D Magazine.
Dirk Nowitzki is getting into TV.
The former Dallas Mavericks forward, who starred for the franchise from 1998-2019, is set to be an analyst for Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage. Amazon Prime, which airs Thursday Night Football, landed NBA games as part of the league’s new TV rights deal. Amazon Prime will air prime-time games after Thursday Night Football concludes in January, while also airing double-headers on Friday night and afternoon games on Saturday.
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Nowitzki, 47, is one of several former NBA stars set to be featured in Amazon Prime’s coverage. Former NBA stars John Wall, Blake Griffin, Udonis Haslem and others will be part of the streaming service’s broadcasts. Taylor Rooks, who is featured on Prime’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts, will be serving as a studio host, according to the company.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 10: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks acknowledges fans at the end of his last game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on April 10, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Nowitzki, one of the most beloved athletes in Dallas history, was profiled by D Magazine ahead of his venture into television.
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As part of the magazine feature, Nowitzki dressed up – and looked like – Ron Burgundy, the character played by Will Ferrell in the 2004 comedy classic. It’s really Nowitzki on the cover of the magazine, sporting a mustache and a new hairstyle.
But NBA fans don’t believe it’s actually him.
Yes, that is really Dirk Nowitzki on the cover of the magazine
NBA fans were quick to assume that the photo of Nowitzki on the cover of D Magazine was AI generated, or highly edited. But it’s not.
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“It is very real and the art/photography was done by humans,” D Magazine editor Mike Piellucci wrote on X.
NBA fans still couldn’t believe it.
“Too much editing on Dirk’s face is why people think it’s A.I,” one fan wrote.
“That’s not Dirk. That’s somebody else,” one fan added.
“No way that’s Dirk,” another fan wrote.
“Oh no please don’t tell me you A.I.’d Dirk.,” another fan added.
But this is really him.
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Dirk Nowitzki on D Magazine cover.D Magazine.
NBA on Prime is coming in about a month
The NBA on Prime is set to begin its coverage of the league in about a month. NBA on Prime begins the 2025-26 season with a significant doubleheader on Friday, October 24. At 7:30 p.m. ET, the New York Knicks host the Boston Celtics, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Los Angeles Lakers on the road at 10:00 p.m. ET.
NBA on Prime’s pregame coverage is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
“We’re thrilled to tip off Prime Video’s inaugural NBA season with such an exceptional lineup of games,” said Jay Marine, Global Head of Sports, Prime Video. “From iconic rivalries, competitive conference matchups and the high-stakes action of the Emirates NBA Cup, we are excited to bring the most compelling stories and stars to fans all season long. We look forward to delivering our own unique basketball coverage to Prime customers around the globe that both educates and informs fans and celebrates the game at the highest level.”
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NBA on Prime just announced a new hire on Thursday, too, adding six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry into its mix of analysts.
Lowry will join Nowitzki, Wall, Griffin and others in covering the NBA for Amazon Prime this season.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.