Trademark Filing May Tip Off NBA 2K25 Cover Athlete

Ahead of a release date expected in September, reveals for key details like the NBA 2K25 cover athlete are expected to arrive in July like they've always done in recent years. While we're not quite to that moment yet, a trademark filing and one seemingly innocuous tweet may have tipped their hand. Following their 18th NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics might make the cover for the first time since NBA 2K18.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum could be the NBA 2K25 cover athlete

It's been another historic run for one of basketball's longtime dynasties, and the Boston Celtics could also be headed to the cover of NBA 2K25. After their win, the NBA 2K account on Twitter shared a video congratulating the team that said "what if winning is just the beginning, [Jayson Tatum]."

At the end of the video, "BALL OVER EVERYTHING" flashed across the screen just before the NBA 2K logo wrapped it up. While it didn't seem too significant alone, researcher Kurakasis revealed just a few days prior that Take-Two Interactive (the parent company for 2K Sports and the NBA 2K franchise) had filed a trademark for "BALL OVER EVERYTHING" specifically to use in "recorded computer game and video game programs and software."

Together, it all starts to feel like a tease from NBA 2K about the reveal they already know is coming next month. At this point in development, it's likely that cover art, the cover athlete, and most details about NBA 2K25 have already been finalized internally by 2K.

Last year, the NBA 2K24 cover athlete and pre order editions were announced on Thursday, July 6, 2023. If they keep similar timing this year, we could learn about the official NBA 2K25 cover athlete as early as next week.

If it does turn out to be Jayson Tatum, this would mark the fourth time the Boston Celtics are featured on the NBA 2K cover. Kevin Garnett was the first with NBA 2K9, Larry Bird was one of three for NBA 2K12, and most recently Kyrie Irving was on the cover of NBA 2K18.