Welcome back to “On the Air,” in which Sports Media Watch Podcast co-host Armand Broady will offer in-depth breakdowns of broadcasters’ on-air performance and career journeys, plus chronicle broader trends in the industry.
During its coverage of the Kentucky Derby this past weekend, NBC officially announced the hiring of Carmelo Anthony to its NBA studio team. Anthony, who was recently elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, is a former 10-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist who brings instant star power to the Peacock network.
While this will be his first foray into traditional broadcasting, Anthony is an established media personality. In December 2023, he began “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony,” a popular podcast he co-hosts with writer, comedian and actor The Kid Mero. Anthony is among the most prominent former NBA stars to host a podcast, a crowded list that includes Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Gilbert Arenas, to name a few.
On the surface, the Anthony move is the latest example of network executives satisfying their voracious appetites for the marquee name. TNT Sports recently announced its hires of Andre Agassi and Venus Williams for its coverage of the French Open later this month. While neither has any major television experience, they’re instantly recognizable to both hardcore and casual tennis fans.
But social media and the need for constant content has dramatically changed the media landscape. While television is still an important vehicle for former athletes to make money, express opinions, tell stories, stay relevant and have their egos massaged, it is not the only one. The media space is cluttered with podcasts, both audio and video, giving ex-competitors more creative control and freedom.
If Carmelo Anthony wants to talk about pop culture on his podcast to his heart’s content, he can. How about a chat with Method Man about Jay-Z and DMX? Go for it. Share a conversation with Spike Lee about Denzel Washington? His audience will tune in.
Subscriber numbers suggest fans have not grown weary of never-ending content from their sports heroes. Anthony’s “7PM in Brooklyn” channel has nearly 400,000 subscribers on YouTube alone.
The increasingly jam-packed podcast traffic presents a dilemma. For recent retirees who feel they have something to say, the temptation to select a co-host, hire a production crew and casually shoot the breeze about whatever comes to mind might be irresistible. And today’s players are so technologically savvy that they can produce a podcast episode from a hotel during an in-season road trip.
No matter how much charisma the former athlete has, television has its restraints. Promos must be read, production elements must be incorporated, full-screen graphics must be displayed, commercials must run, and other talent on-set needs to talk. Everything is done to time. If a studio show is 30 minutes with a 22-minute run time, that’s it. And attempting to offer an opinion about a game while a producer talks to you through your earpiece, or a stage manager counts you down from ten can be daunting. There are countless stories of star players who tried out for a major television role, only to realize the chaos was just too much for them to handle.
Video podcasts can offer the glitz of television without the restrictions. In many cases, today’s podcast producers are yesterday’s television producers. Some of the most popular pods today are produced with multiple cameras, impeccable video quality, stunning backdrops and crisp audio.
The networks are not only competing amongst themselves; now, they’re going toe-to-toe with an ever-growing podcast world to find the best talent.
The reality is Carmelo Anthony did not need NBC, but NBC felt it needed him. Time will tell what kind of TV personality Anthony will be. Should he flop as an analyst or just grow tired of the medium, he can always turn to his well-received podcast. Going forward, this could be the template for future sports giants looking to find their voice in retirement.
Plus: Albert, McDonough deliver in game 7 broadcasts
When playoff drama reaches its crescendo, fans look for announcers to take them along for the ride. TNT’s Kenny Albert and ESPN’s Sean McDonough hit the high notes during thrilling Stanley Cup Playoff contests this past weekend.
It’s been an uneven road for McDonough as ESPN’s lead hockey voice. Some hardcore enthusiasts believe McDonough is dispassionate and leans too much on storytelling over emotion, but when Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen notched a hat trick to take down Colorado in game 7 of their series, he belted out memorable calls.
One of McDonough’s strengths is the pure power of his voice. When he commits to a call, especially after an important goal, his voice thunders, signaling a major moment.
The next day, TNT lead voice Kenny Albert delivered an impassioned call of “SCORE! SCORE!” after Winnipeg’s Cole Perfetti scored the game-tying goal with l.6 seconds remaining in the third period of game 7 vs. St. Louis.
While Albert calls every sport well, his minimalist approach sets his hockey work apart. He doesn’t reach for pithy phrases or flowery talk. He gets in, gets out and meets moments with the necessary level of emotion and energy.
