“Shut Up and Dribble”: Carmelo Anthony Gets Real on Entering Ruthless $500 Billion Industry Only to See Upside 15 Years Later

The world of the NBA has often intersected with the world of fine alcohol, creating a unique blend of passion, competition, and indulgence. From CJ McCollum’s extensive investment in vineyards to LeBron James’ tequila brand, athletes have increasingly ventured into the realm of viticulture and spirits. And another former New York Knicks glory has recently stepped into this venture and hopes it to bloom despite the challenges.

Carmelo Anthony through various podcasts, has expressed his love for wine. Even during his latest interview at the Wine and Spirits Festival, the 10x NBA All-Star recalled the fact that he was spending a lot of money on purchasing wine. 

Although many people had warned Melo, about how there were already many competitors in the wine industry and that making money would be tough, the former power forward didn’t pay any heed to them and remained stiff with his decision to invest in this growing industry. “The wine industry would be $500 billion in three, four years so if I know that, why not get involved in that industry,” said Anthony during his latest interview.

When the interviewer, Coltrane Curtis, asked Melo how he planned to tackle this industry’s challenges, the 40-year-old gave a very apt answer. According to him, people had always respected athletes for what they did on the field or court and not for anything else. This perspective changed when athletes like Dwyane Wade and Scottie Pippen entered this market in the last decade and made consumers believe with their creativity that athletes can do more than just play. “It’s very difficult coming in as an athlete because so you, for some reason it’s just shut up and dribble it… We actually planted these seeds 10-15 years ago and we actually just starting to see the benefits from that,” Melo said at the Wine and Spirits Festival.

Anthony also visualizes helping other athletes bring up their businesses in the market to make a collective impact. The wine industry is indeed a growing market in the US, with 9.9 liters of wine consumed by a single person annually. With advancements in viticulture technology and business strategies in the future, the industry is forecasted to grow at a rapid pace. 

The former Knicks player is a man with a vision and is determined to make a lasting impact on the world. Here’s more about his wine brand.

Carmelo Anthony and his Wine brand

Carmelo Anthony, the NBA legend known for his scoring prowess, ventured into the world of winemaking in 2022. Inspired by his love of fine wine and a desire to create something unique, Anthony has launched his wine brand VII(N) The Seventh Estate with co-founder Asani Swann.

As per Bon Appétit, his latest “Ode to Soul”, is the result of a partnership with a famous winery in Napa Valley called the Robert Mondavi Winery. The wine is in the color of robust red which is made from the grapes of To-Kalon vineyards in Napa’s Oakville district. 

Anthony had said in the same interview that his new release was mainly focused on people who loved the Robert Mondavi brand but wanted to try something new at the same time. Anthony’s foray into the wine industry is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to excel beyond the basketball court. With his passion and dedication, he is poised to make a significant impact on the world of wine.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.