It wasn’t just another race day at Churchill Downs. Carmelo Anthony used the Kentucky Derby as both a fashion showcase and the stage for his next career move. As the horses galloped for glory, NBC took a moment to drop a different kind of winner—Melo. Yes, the Syracuse legend and Knicks icon is officially stepping into a new arena. During the Derby broadcast, NBC announced that Melo will join their NBA coverage next season. This off-court revelation hit like a game-deciding shot for fans yearning for Melo’s charisma.
But just as the news sank in, Melo stole the spotlight again—this time with his outfit. Ditching the Knicks’ orange, he rolled into Churchill Downs dressed in all green, which turned heads. And really, where better to go all out than the Kentucky Derby? Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” this Louisville classic isn’t just about horses—it’s about history, high fashion, and heavy-hitting names. So naturally, Melo fits right in.
Amid that buzz, Derby weekend’s A-list roster only amplified Melo’s fashion statement. From Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to Food Network’s Guy Fieri, from rocker Richie Sambora to Hollywood’s Chris Tucker and Wilmer Valderrama, or even Simone Biles—the crowd was as eclectic as ever. And right in the thick of it was Carmelo, donning that sharp green suit and a snazzy hat to match. The 151st edition of the iconic event felt more like a cultural summit than just a race.
To top it all off, the Derby buzz didn’t stop at the track. NBC veteran Mike Tirico had to suddenly exit coverage after a “significant” allergic reaction, while Melo, fresh off being named to the 2025 Hall of Fame class, confirmed his new analyst role with NBC Sports and Peacock, kicking off this October.
Carmelo Anthony’s NBC jump feels bigger than just a broadcast gig
NBC’s NBA coverage originally ran from 1990–2002, defined by John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” theme and marquee studio shows. After a 13‑year hiatus, NBC’s parent Peacock secured rights to 25 regular‑season games and half of the 2025 NBA Finals, signaling a full‑court press to reclaim relevance. NBC Sports President Pete Bevacqua praised Anthony as a “bridge between eras,” noting his 19‑year career spanned the league’s globalization and social‑media revolution. Anthony will join Mike Tirico, Doris Burke, and new hire Richard Jefferson in a studio team curated to blend play‑by‑play prowess with player‑level analysis.
“Watching the NBA on NBC growing up shaped my love for the game,” Melo said in a statement. “Now, I’m thrilled to join the NBC Sports family. I’ve always used my platform to help grow the game, and I’m excited to bring fans a fresh perspective as we usher in a new era of NBA coverage and programming.”
Not only that, during his appearance at the Kentucky Derby, Carmelo Anthony expressed his excitement to be “just building a team, getting back into a team-oriented aspect.” It came following the news that Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller are joining the NBA on NBC game analysts, while Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will serve as play-by-play analysts.
Naturally, the move didn’t come out of nowhere. From the day Anthony hung up his sneakers in May 2023, his post-career path felt like a matter of when, not if. Even back in February, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic pointed to NBC as a frontrunner to land him. And they made it happen.
Now, Melo’s set to appear in the studio at least once a week through the 2025-26 season, fresh off his expected Hall of Fame induction. And he’s not just bringing name value—he’s bringing numbers. With over 10,000 points scored as a Knick alone, he joins an elite group of just seven players in franchise history to hit that mark. That kind of résumé doesn’t just talk—it commands the room.
And with NBC planning to air over 100 regular-season games and splitting the conference finals coverage, the stakes are huge. Add in the return of the NBA All-Star Game to the network. And this isn’t just a nostalgia play—it’s the start of a full-court press.
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