Carmelo Anthony isn’t just dreaming of owning an NBA team; he’s sketching blueprints for a fan revolution, with the a $4.1 billion NBA franchise squarely in his sights. LeBron James, Shaquille O’neal, and now Carmelo Anthony. Some of the biggest names in NBA history have been flirting with the idea of owning a franchise. But while LeBron and Shaq see it as a strong business move, Melo’s motivation goes deeper than just financial gain. For him, it’s about proving something.

“I’ll be a great owner, by the way,” Anthony declared, backing up his claim with a solid pitch. “I’m a former player. I understand players… Understand personnel… Understand strategy. I understand being strategic… How to build teams. Right. But I also understand what I don’t understand.” That last part is key. During his appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Anthony was asked what separates a good team owner from a bad one in the NBA. Rather than giving a broad answer, he took the opportunity to reveal his own ambitions. And his target? The $4.1 billion NBA franchise, the Washington Wizards.

Melo knows that even with his experience, he wouldn’t be running the show alone. He made it clear he’d bring in top basketball minds to handle key positions like General Manager and President. But Anthony’s vision for ownership doesn’t stop at assembling a great front office. He believes a great owner must prioritize the fan experience, something he feels many in the NBA overlook. “A lot of owners don’t put that work in to create fan experiences. They hire somebody,” the 10x All-Star pointed out.

The former NBA star explained his vision of fan experience to be something where, the minute the fans walk down the block, they have a full experience of being able to go into the arena. Well, Carmelo Anthony has been quite successful in his ventures beyond the bounds of the basketball court. Whether it be his Wine Brand, VII(N) The Seventh Estate, or his venture capital firm, Melo7 Tech Partners. So, there is no reason to doubt that he could not emerge as a great NBA owner.

But why choose the Washington Wizards, though? Well, Anthony has his own reasons behind this desire. “That’s one that you could start with a project like that and really, really build it, because it has culture… So it’s like beautiful city to get that and to get somebody who’s connected back to that area and really understand what that area really needs,” Melo said on the podcast.

Yet another factor that interests him is the way people there understand sports, whether it be basketball, baseball, or lacrosse. “That’s a sports hub right there. That may be the greatest sports hub in America,” Anthony said. Well, Anthony certainly knows what he is talking about. And this should not come as a surprise, considering Melo has already been a part of an ownership group.

Carmelo Anthony joined an ownership group in Australia’s NBL

Just last year, the 10x All-Star teamed up with Australia’s National Basketball League, not just as an investor but as a key figure in shaping its future. His partnership included joining the ownership group of a future expansion team while also serving as the global ambassador for the NBL’s Next Stars program.

Now, the details of his investment? Still under wraps. And the team he’ll own? That’s a mystery too. But according to Yahoo Sports, the NBL has been eyeing expansion in Southeast Asia, as well as potential teams in Gold Coast or Sydney, where a new franchise would compete with the Sydney Kings. And Melo isn’t the only big name in this game. He’s joining a powerhouse lineup of NBA stars-turned-investors, including Khris Middleton, John Wall, Kevin Martin, Shawn Marion, Andrew Bogut, Al Harrington, and Zach Randolph.

Beyond the business deals and strategic team-building, Anthony’s ambition carries a certain weight of legacy. He’s stepping into a role that transcends the court, one where his influence can reshape not just a franchise but the very fabric of how fans experience the game. It’s a move that speaks to a deeper understanding of the sport’s cultural impact, a recognition that basketball is more than just points and wins; it’s a community, an experience, a shared passion.

Whether Anthony’s vision becomes a reality remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his desire to transform the Wizards, and the NBA fan experience, is a testament to his enduring passion for the game.