Carmelo Anthony, former All-Star forward for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, will reportedly be joining NBC Sports as an NBA analyst as the company resumes its live game broadcasts of the league. Anthony, who retired from playing the sport two years ago, would presumably be part of the network’s studio team, the rest of which has not yet been determined. The news of Anthony appearing on the air for NBA coverage from NBC Sports was first reported by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Anthony has co-hosted the podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, which is produced and distributed by Wave Sports + Entertainment. The show returned for its second season last November by showcasing the college decision of Anthony’s son, Kiyan, to attend Syracuse University. A rotating cast of co-hosts join Anthony and The Kid Mero, including Kazeem Famuyide, Monica McNutt and Rudy Gay.
If Anthony’s signing becomes official, he would join a roster that includes venerated broadcasters and league veterans, including Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford and Noah Eagle. Current TNT Sports analyst Reggie Miller was also said to be joining NBC Sports last month as its lead game analyst, which would presumably include several marquee assignments. Under its forthcoming 11-year media rights deal with the league, reportedly worth $2.45 billion per year, NBC Sports will have rights for up to 100 NBA regular-season contests, NBA All-Star festivities and various playoff games, including a conference final series in six of the 11 years
There are various possibilities surrounding the remainder of the roster, with the network reportedly showing interest in Dwyane Wade and Grant Hill to join the broadcast entity as analysts. Marchand also reported that the company could have Terry Gannon call games on the network, who was the lead WNBA play-by-play announcer for ESPN/ABC for parts of the 2000s. Although the company held talks with Charles Barkley, those discussions have since ended as he is expected to continue working on Inside the NBA. TNT Sports will continue to produce the show, but it will air on Disney platforms (ESPN/ABC) starting next season as part of a sublicensing deal.
Amazon has been reported as hiring Ian Eagle and Kevin Harlan as play-by-play voices for NBA games starting next season, along with Cassidy Hubbarth as its sideline reporter. In addition, the company has reportedly demonstrated interest in Michael Grady to be part of its play-by-play rotation as well.
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