He’s finally in. Carmelo Anthony, now an official Hall of Famer, stands at a crossroads where the hardwood ends and a new journey begins. For nearly two decades, he was a scoring phenom, a vivid example of a cultural icon, and a symbol of perseverance. But now, with the basketball gate shut for good, the question echoes louder than ever: What’s next for Melo?
It’s the evolution of a man who redefined scoring and never backed down from being unapologetically himself. As the cheers fade and the memories remain, Melo isn’t looking back, he’s looking ahead. And, the next chapter might not include a jump shot, but it’s bound to leave a mark.
“It’s full circle for me because you get a chance to go through it as an athlete actively and learn, and have these great experiences. Now, I’m on the other side of that, and I have the experiences from basketball. “ Melo stated in a conversation with Fast Company. Why wouldn’t he say so? He arrived in the NBA as a rookie and left as a legend. Although he never won a championship, he still has plenty of fond memories.
This includes 10 NBA All-Star selections, 6 All-NBA Team selections, the 2013 NBA Scoring Champion at 28.7 PPG, ranked 10th in all-time NBA scoring with 28,289 career points, and having the most points scored in a single game at Madison Square Garden, with 62.
Melo also stated, “I feel like I’ve put my work in and it has been solidified. I feel like that gate will be shut in September” sending a sombre feeling our way and having to accept a harsh reality, that with his hall of fame nod, his playing days are truly over. It’s time to look beyond.
To that effect, Melo also said, “Now, it’s more about understanding the impact you did have on the court and allowing that impact to be felt off the court. In this case, it’s all my businesses….That’s what the new focus is on.” It can be a tough pill to swallow, leaving behind a legacy accumulated through blood, sweat, and tears. But there are other aspects Melo can focus on. Let us take a look.
Carmelo Anthony: The next business mogul?
Carmelo Anthony may have retired the jersey, but he is indicating no slowdown in his pace. With his Hall of Fame recognition now official and his basketball life finished for good, Melo is entering a whole new game: business. And if you think he is merely messing around, he’d suggest otherwise. This is Melo 2.0, a full-time businessman with a full-court press.
Now, having time to relax, what line of business did Melo get into? Indeed, the cannabis business. In search of the path to ultimate relaxation, Carmelo founded the Grand National Agency and his luxury cannabis brand STAYME7O. Grand National is not merely a business, it’s about revolutionizing the game for minority owned cannabis brands. With collaborators such as Brandon Drew, Jordan Pierce, and Melo himself, authenticity and diversity are the cornerstones.
STAYME7O? That’s Melo through and through- craft, culture, and heart. From the moment it first came out in Oregon to its expansion in New York, the brand has supported Black owned dispensaries and communities hardest hit by the War on Drugs. It’s a high-end product with intention, all boasting that iconic No. 7 energy.
Melo’s portfolio does not end at cannabis. He is also working in lifestyle ventures. He co-founded Haute Time, a luxury watch company, and collaborated with the Jordan Brand, Panini, and Foot Locker. On the investment front, he is investing in intelligent, sustainable businesses. Such as Myro, a deodorant company; LEUNE, another cannabis offering; and Mophie, a company that is disrupting the game for portable chargers.
And here’s the bottom line:. Carmelo Anthony isn’t merely constructing a brand, he’s constructing a legacy off the court as daring and far-reaching as the one he established on it.
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