NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Lands New Role

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Dec 9, 2025 11:58 AM ET

Carmelo Anthony, one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, played 19 seasons in the league and retired with 28,289 career points (22.5 points per game), 7,808 rebounds and 3,422 assists.

A ten-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection, Anthony won an NCAA title with Syracuse in 2003, was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and is a multiple Olympic medalist, winning gold with the United States in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

Anthony, on Monday, said in a video posted to social media that he will serve as “New York, New Jersey, official hospitality captain” for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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He added that he looks forward to “connecting with fans and celebrating the culture, the flavors, the soccer of the city. Anthony noted that the final draw set up high-profile games in the region, including “France versus Senegal, Morocco versus Brazil.”

The announcement would align with a broader push to involve high-profile athletes and local personalities in promotional and hospitality roles as the United States, Canada and Mexico prepare to host the expanded 48-team tournament next summer.

Kansas City Chiefs CEO’s daughter, Gracie Hunt, on the field prior to a game.© Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Even Kansas City Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt was named among the appointed hosts. She announced on Tuesday, saying she’s honored to be a hospitality captain and will handle a similar job as Anthony, only in Kansas City.

USA will stage 78 matches, including every game from the quarterfinals onward, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13. Among those, eight games, including the final, are scheduled in New Jersey, which Anthony will oversee. Hunt will handle six.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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