Imagine turning on the TV next season and there’s Melo—calm, crisp suit, mid-smirk—breaking down a playoff mismatch like he’s still torching defenders from the elbow. D-Wade to his left, Blake Griffin cracking wise on his right. The vibes? Immaculate. The storytelling? Untouchable. This should’ve been the easiest alley-oop of the NBA media era. But here’s the thing: Carmelo Anthony doesn’t do predictable.
Everyone expected that Melo would be joining the team, as the NBA entered its new media era. In July 2024, the league dropped a game-changing 11-year, $76 billion deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. For the first time, streaming took center stage, with Amazon securing a major slice of the action. Beginning with the 2025–26 season, Amazon is all-in on broadcasting 66 regular-season games, the NBA Cup, Play-In games, and even a rotating Conference Final. It’s a bold new world for the NBA—why? Simple—streaming is the future, and the NBA knows it. By partnering with Amazon, the league is tapping into a global tech giant with reach, cash, and cutting-edge distribution, and it was looking like Melo was about to take his place in it.
However, in a recent Instagram post, Taylor Rooks shared the list of talent Amazon Prime Video will be bringing in for its NBA coverage, and one notable name was missing. The roster included heavyweights like Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, and Stan Van Gundy—a powerhouse lineup to be sure. But Melo’s absence stood out, especially given the earlier reports that he was in discussions for a role. In the past months, Melo had been vocal about “talking to everybody” regarding potential studio and game analyst roles. While there was plenty of speculation about his involvement with Amazon, it seems those talks didn’t lead to a finalized deal.
The increasing presence of former NBA players in media reflects a trend of athletes leveraging their expertise and personal brands for successful off-court careers. Their ability to connect with fans, offer insightful analysis, and provide unique perspectives enriches sports broadcasting.
In this regard, Wade has already proven himself to be a top-tier analyst, especially in his role as NBC’s lead color commentator for the men’s Olympic basketball in 2024. Parker, with her sharp insight, has been a staple on TNT for years as both an NBA and WNBA studio analyst. Griffin’s quick wit and basketball knowledge have made him a fan favorite as a guest analyst on TNT, while Nowitzki has been holding it down for NBA Europe broadcasts. And Gundy? Well, his years of coaching experience make him a solid color commentator for both ESPN and TNT, adding depth to every game he covers.
But even without the Amazon deal, fans will still get plenty of Anthony’s media presence.
Carmelo Anthony’s media empire: Beyond the court
Instead of Amazon, the New York Knicks’ legend is reportedly set to join NBC as one of their top studio analysts when the network returns to NBA coverage next season. As reported by The Athletic, Anthony will bring his veteran perspective to the studio, alongside color commentator Jamal Crawford, who has also made the jump to NBC. This deal marks another major step for Melo in carving out a prominent role in the world of basketball broadcasting. His new gig with NBC ensures fans won’t miss his voice in the NBA coverage, whether or not he ever teams up with Amazon.
Beyond his network gigs, Melo’s media footprint has already been solidified through several compelling ventures that showcase his versatility. One of his standout projects is his podcast, What’s In Your Glass? Launched in 2021, the show pairs Anthony’s engaging personality with a relaxed, intimate setting where he invites guests from across sports, entertainment, and business to talk life, careers, and, of course, wine. The podcast has given fans a fresh side of Melo, showing him as more than just a player but also a thoughtful, curious interviewer. Past episodes have featured a range of heavy hitters like Wade, Parker, and even rapper Jay-Z, making it one of the more dynamic shows in sports media.
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Carmelo Anthony is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
On top of that, Melo’s co-hosting gig on 7PM in Brooklyn with comedian The Kid Mero brings a different flavor. The show merges their love for sports and pop culture, offering a raw, unfiltered take on everything from the NBA to life in New York. This podcast has resonated with fans who appreciate Melo’s ability to balance his basketball knowledge with his deep connection to the culture. These efforts in media have kept Melo in the conversation and ensured his presence is felt, whether he’s on the court or behind the mic.
Further expanding his media empire, Melo also launched his own production company, Creative 7, which focuses on producing high-quality content that bridges sports, culture, and entertainment. The company’s mission is to craft stories that resonate with diverse audiences, utilizing Anthony’s platform to shed light on the intersection of sports and cultural narratives. This move into production solidifies his place as a true multimedia mogul—ensuring that his influence will continue to be felt across various forms of media, whether it’s through podcasts, TV, or creative projects.
Carmelo Anthony’s Creative 7 Productions embodies his vision of bridging sports, culture, and entertainment. The company is dedicated to crafting high-quality content that resonates with diverse audiences, aiming to tell stories that explore the intersection of these realms.
As the NBA media landscape shifts, Carmelo Anthony’s adaptability ensures that fans will continue to hear from him in fresh, dynamic ways. Even without Amazon, his brand of insight and storytelling remains integral to the sports world.
The post Carmelo Anthony & Amazon’s Potential Deal Reaches Verdict as Dwyane Wade & More Join the Network appeared first on EssentiallySports.
