Who is in the Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial?
A look at the faces behind recent DICK’S ads
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Summary
In one of Dick’s Sporting Goods’ most talked‑about commercials — the holiday ad “A Watt Holiday Classic” — the cast includes NFL athletes Derek Watt and T. J. Watt, along with their older brother J.J. Watt and their parents, John and Connie Watt. The ad plays on holiday‑movie nostalgia (notably Home Alone), showing the Watt family on a last‑minute holiday shopping trip at a Dick’s store, accidentally leaving J.J. behind. The siblings’ real‑life chemistry — drawn from their authentic family and athletic backgrounds — gives the ad warmth, humor, and authenticity.
When people ask “who is in the Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial,” they might be referring to one of several recent ad campaigns from DICK’S Sporting Goods (also known as “Dick’s”). In recent years the retailer has featured a mix of athletes and celebrities in different commercials — from holiday‑themed spots to e‑commerce promos — which means there’s not just one “Dick’s commercial,” but several.
In this article, I’ll break down the major recent commercials and highlight which real‑life figures — athletes or actors — appear in them. That way, when you see a Dick’s ad, you’ll know who’s in it.
The Holiday Spotlight: “A Watt Holiday Classic” — The Watt Family
One of the most memorable recent commercials for Dick’s is “A Watt Holiday Classic.” This festive ad stars former NFL star J. J. Watt, along with his real‑life family: his brothers Derek Watt and T. J. Watt, and their parents John Watt and Connie Watt.
The ad begins with the Watt family in-store doing a last‑minute holiday shopping run. In classic holiday‑movie fashion, they wind up leaving J.J. behind as they drive off — and the rest of the commercial shows J.J. enjoying an after-hours romp through the store: rollerblading through aisles, messing with displays, pretending mannequins are teammates — all with a playful, nostalgic vibe.
The campaign plays heavily into holiday nostalgia, referencing classic films (think “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “A Christmas Story,” etc.) while marrying that with a sports‑store setting.
Why this cast works: using a real athlete and his real family brings authenticity — viewers aren’t just watching actors pretending to be a family; they’re seeing a genuine sports family having fun. That adds warmth, humor, and credibility.
Quick Facts: Derek Watt, T. J. Watt & the Dick’s Sporting Goods Commercial
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Commercial Title: A Watt Holiday Classic (Dick’s Sporting Goods holiday ad)
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Featured Family: Watt family — J.J. Watt, Derek Watt, T. J. Watt, plus parents Connie and John Watt
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Derek Watt: Former NFL fullback (youngest Watt brother) appearing as himself in the family ad
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T. J. Watt: NFL star outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, appears as himself
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J.J. Watt: Former NFL defensive end, central figure of the commercial
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Ad Concept: A humorous holiday homage to classic films (e.g., Home Alone, Elf) set in a Dick’s Sporting Goods store
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Tone: Warm, playful, and nostalgic with real family dynamics
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Platform: Aired on broadcast TV, digital, social, and streaming outlets
The Online‑Shopping Ad: “Click on Dicks.com” — Featuring Celebs & Actors
Another recent campaign from Dick’s focuses on its online shopping site (or promoted e‑commerce presence), using two well‑known performers to attract a broader audience. In this ad:
Kathryn Hahn plays a busy aunt who needs to grab basketball gear for her nephew at the last minute.
Will Arnett plays a father scrambling to pick up soccer cleats for his daughter — leading to the tagline emphasizing convenience: shop online at dicks.com.
The ad has humor and charm. Despite Kathryn Hahn admitting she isn’t especially athletic (per her own words at the ad’s launch), she brings comedic timing to her role.
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Will Arnett, meanwhile, draws from his own real‑life background — growing up with sports gear and coaching little‑league — lending realism to his character’s dad persona in the spot.
This campaign was produced by agency/production‑house collaborators — the creative team hoped to inject spontaneity and humor into the ad by casting “funny‑boned” people like Hahn and Arnett.
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Other Recent Additions: Athletes in 2025 Holiday / Seasonal Campaigns
Dick’s hasn’t limited itself to just the Watt family or actors. According to reporting in late 2025, the retailer launched a new holiday‑themed commercial featuring a group of high‑profile athletes from different sports. Among them: Paige Bueckers (WNBA/Wings guard), golfer Bryson DeChambeau, NFL wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and NBA forward Draymond Green.
Sports Business Journal
In this commercial, the concept leverages the holiday‑season “naughty or nice” list — Santa is depicted evaluating each athlete for the holiday nice list based on their sports performance and behavior. The result merges sport, star‑power, and holiday marketing for a festive, modern twist.
Sports Business Journal
These kinds of ads show Dick’s awareness of the broad appeal of sport stars — not just for athletes shopping gear, but for fans who admire them. It’s a savvy way to reach different demographics: everyday shoppers, sports fans, families, and more.
Why Dick’s Uses Celebrities, Athletes, and Real‑Life Families in Their Ads
There are a few clear strategic benefits to how Dick’s casts its commercials:
Relatability & authenticity: With the Watt family, viewers see a real family — not just actors — shopping together. That lends warmth and credibility. Mixed with the holiday‑movie vibes, it becomes more than an ad: it feels like a mini holiday story.
Star power + broad appeal: Bringing in celebrities like Kathryn Hahn and Will Arnett helps reach beyond just sports fans — maybe parents, casual shoppers, or anyone who recognizes them. And using pro athletes (like Bueckers, DeChambeau, Lamb, Green) appeals directly to sports fans or folks who shop gear for sports performance.
Emotional / nostalgic resonance: Using holiday themes, family dynamics, or funny everyday situations taps into emotions. People often remember ads better when they connect with feelings — like family, nostalgia, humor, or pride in athletes.
Versatility across campaigns: Because Dick’s sells everything from athletic gear to holiday gifts, a mix of ads allows them to tailor messages: “shopping convenience” (e‑commerce), “holiday cheer” (seasonal), and “sports‑lifestyle appeal” (pro athletes).
So — Who Is in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Commercial (Depending on Which One You Saw)
Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet: if you saw a Dick’s ad recently, the person(s) you saw might have been:
J.J. Watt, Derek Watt, T.J. Watt, John and Connie Watt — in the holiday film‑style commercial “A Watt Holiday Classic”.
Kathryn Hahn and Will Arnett — in the “Click on Dicks.com” e‑commerce ad.
Paige Bueckers, Bryson DeChambeau, CeeDee Lamb, Draymond Green — among others, in a 2025 holiday‑season, multi‑athlete commercial.
Why There’s Often Confusion — and What to Do If You’re Unsure
Because Dick’s runs many different campaigns — with different themes, targets, and cast — it’s easy to get confused. You might remember “that guy” but forget which ad you saw him in. Or two different ads might run back-to-back, blending in your memory.
If you’re ever not sure who is in a particular Dick’s ad, a good approach is:
Watch carefully for names or recognizable faces — many of the athletes and celebrities are well‑known.
Check online: many media outlets or the company themselves publish press releases when they launch a new campaign (e.g., the 2024 Watt family holiday campaign; the 2025 athlete‑heavy campaign).
Rewind and pause — sports logos, uniforms, or gear can be giveaways (especially in athlete‑led ads).
FAQ: Derek Watt, T. J. Watt & the Dick’s Sporting Goods Commercial
Who are the actors in the Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial?
In the A Watt Holiday Classic commercial, the “actors” are actually real people: NFL athletes J.J. Watt, Derek Watt, T. J. Watt, and their parents — all playing themselves in a festive holiday spot for Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Is Derek Watt in the Dick’s Sporting Goods ad?
Yes — Derek Watt, former NFL fullback and brother of J.J. and T. J. Watt, appears in the holiday Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial alongside his family.
Is T. J. Watt in the Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial?
Yes — T. J. Watt, who is a current NFL linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, appears as himself in the Dick’s A Watt Holiday Classic ad with his brothers and parents.
What is A Watt Holiday Classic about?
The ad depicts the Watt family on a last‑minute holiday shopping trip at a Dick’s store. In the rush, they accidentally leave J.J. behind, leading to playful antics inside the store — a nod to holiday films like Home Alone and other classics.
Why did Dick’s Sporting Goods use the Watt family in their ad?
Dick’s chose the Watt family because their real sibling dynamic, sports background, and relatable chemistry add authenticity, warmth, and humor to the holiday narrative.
Do Derek Watt and T. J. Watt usually appear in commercials?
While this holiday ad is one of their higher‑profile advertising appearances as a family unit, the Watt brothers have also appeared in other promotional content and endorsements individually over the years.
Where can I watch the Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial featuring the Watt brothers?
The A Watt Holiday Classic commercial runs across broadcast television, digital platforms, social media, and streaming services around the holiday season.
Conclusion: The Casts Vary — But the Strategy Is Clear
“There is no single ‘Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial’ anymore — there are many, and who you see depends on which campaign is running. In recent years, the retailer has mixed real athletes, famous actors, and even entire real‑life families to craft commercials that hit different notes: from holiday nostalgia to online‑shopping convenience to pure sports‑fan appeal.
So if you ask yourself, “Who is in the Dick’s commercial?”, the answer might be any combination of pro athletes, actors, or sports families — but the names above are among the most prominent or recent.
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