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NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Lands Major Broadcasting Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 5:54 PM ET

NBC continues to assemble a team for its NBA return.

For the first time in 23 years, NBC will broadcast NBA games when it begins an 11-year deal in the 2025-26 season. Prime Video also picked up rights, with the league set to leave TNT.

According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, the network landed an All-Star for its basketball coverage. NBC reportedly hired Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst.

Anthony joins fellow scoring stalwarts Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford on NBC's crew. Unlike those two TNT employees, who will work as game analysts, the retired forward hasn't worked on TV since retiring in 2023.

After leading Syracuse to a national championship as a freshman, Anthony joined the NBA as the No. 3 pick in a legendary 2003 draft class also featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, ranks 10th on the league's career scoring leaderboard.

Anthony won three Olympic gold medals and is second in all-time scoring behind Kevin Durant. He also earned a spot on the NBA 75 team in 2021.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States reacts on the bench during the game agaisnt Venezuela in the men's preliminary round group A game 19 on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Along with a new job, Anthony could soon have another reason to celebrate this year. The first-time nominee is eligible to get elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced on April 5.

NBC has more time to formulate its NBA coverage. According to Marchand, Football Night in America host Maria Taylor is a candidate to lead a studio show. The network is also reportedly interested in Wade and Grant Hill in unspecified roles. Wade worked as a color commentator during last summer's Olympics for NBC.

Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle can handle play-by-play duties. Eagle's father, Ian Eagle, will join Amazon's NBA booth.

Meanwhile, ESPN reportedly has yet to finalize this year's NBA Finals plans. According to Marchand, the network remains undecided about who will replace Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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