NBC has hired Carmelo Anthony to serve as one of the network’s top studio analysts when it begins broadcasting NBA games next season, sources briefed on the network’s plans said Thursday.
Anthony, 40, retired from playing in May 2023 and is a Hall of Fame nominee this year.
NBC, along with Amazon Prime Video, joins incumbent ABC/ESPN as NBA partners under the league’s new 11-year, $76 million broadcast deal. This is the final season that TNT Sports will broadcast NBA games, though its “Inside the NBA,” featuring Charles Barkley, is expected to continue on ABC/ESPN.
NBC had recent talks with Barkley, who still has seven years remaining on his deal with TNT, but those have ended. Last year, Barkley, who turns 62 later this month, told The Athletic that the deal was for $21 million per season.
As for this season, ABC/ESPN still hasn’t finalized its NBA Finals booth for this June. Mike Breen and Doris Burke are in, but ESPN has not decided if it will replace the spot vacated by now Lakers’ coach, JJ Redick. Richard Jefferson would seem to be the favorite, as sources who have seen ESPN’s internal schedule said that for the rest of the season when ABC/ESPN goes to a three-person booth it will feature Breen, Burke and Jefferson. However, nothing has been made official. Amazon has interest in Jefferson joining its roster for next year, according to sources briefed on the plans.
Next season, NBC’s package will include the All-Star Game, Monday nights exclusively on Peacock, Tuesday games on NBC and Sunday nights. It will have a third of the playoffs, including a conference final in six of the next 11 years.
NBC’s Sunday night games will begin following its “Sunday Night Football” schedule that ends in early January. The idea is to be the home of sports on Sunday nights for the majority of the year. Additionally, the network may take its Sunday night basketball pregame on the road.
Besides Anthony, it does not yet have the rest of its studio team. Maria Taylor — NFL and college football host — is under consideration to lead the network’s NBA pregame show.
On games, NBC/Peacock will have Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as its top two play-by-players with Terry Gannon, who is also already part of its network, a possibility for the third game spot, according to sources briefed on the network’s plans. It has hired Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller as game analysts and has shown interest in Dwyane Wade and Grant Hill.
Amazon has held talks with Wade; as well as Stan Van Gundy. Amazon already has Ian Eagle and Kevin Harlan in the mix on play-by-play and has shown interest in ESPN/Timberwolves’ game-caller, Michael Grady, according to sources briefed on the discussions. On the sideline, Amazon is in agreement with ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth to join its top team next season.
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