His growing portfolio includes VII(N) The Seventh Estate, STAYME7O Cannabis, VERSA VII and Creative 7 Productions, yet Anthony remains selective about what earns a place on the roster. “My businesses are built from things I genuinely care about,” he says. “Everything I do… has intention behind it.”
That extends from developing inclusive, purpose-driven content through Creative 7 to directing a portion of proceeds from STAYME7O toward nonprofit organizations supporting communities impacted by the War on Drugs. “I always want there to be a deeper purpose behind what I’m building,” he says. “I never force anything just because it looks like a good opportunity. It has to make sense for who I am, what I believe in and where I want to go.”
That same sense of purpose shapes Anthony’s relationship with art, design and fashion. A committed collector, he has made supporting Black creatives a cornerstone of his approach. “I’ve always made it a point to support and uplift Black creatives and other underrepresented voices in art and design,” he says. Artist Rashid Johnson has become both an influence and a friend. “I’ve been fortunate to build a friendship with Rashid and spend time with him in his studio, which has given me a deeper appreciation for his process and the intention behind his work.”
His fashion influences follow a similarly distinct point of view. Anthony cites Grace Wales Bonner, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne among the creatives he admires. Of Wales Bonner, he says, “Grace’s creative mindset and determination have continued to push her forward and make history in fashion and culture.” Of Chow and Osborne, he says, “They have a real point of view, and everything they create feels authentic to who they are and the culture they represent.”
Authenticity, unsurprisingly, is also central to Anthony’s own style. “Style is a form of expression and a way to communicate who you are without having to say anything,” he says. “I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and quality, and at this stage, I’m all about wearing things that feel true to me and supporting people and brands that I believe in.”
His art collection reflects the same ethos. “My collection is rooted in empowerment, and I want the pieces I live with to reflect the things I believe in,” Anthony says. “Collecting is about building powerful connections with the piece and the artist and surrounding myself with work that reflects my values.”
Wine has become another passion pursued with the patience of an athlete committed to mastering his craft. “Wine is both an experience and a personal journey, and that’s what I love most about it,” Anthony says. “For almost two decades, I’ve immersed myself in the wine industry, exploring its culture across the globe and developing a deeper understanding of the craft.” He studied not only what was in the glass but the agriculture, production and business behind it. “The more I learned, the more I wanted to create something of my own,” he says. That pursuit became VII(N) The Seventh Estate. “I saw an opportunity to bring my own perspective to the industry and create more space and representation for the Black community in wine.”
“My next chapter is really about intention. … I’m proud of my legacy as a basketball player, but I want my legacy to represent much more than what I accomplished on the court.” –CARMELO ANTHONY
These days, however, some of Anthony’s most meaningful moments are less about what he is building than where he is able to be present. His son, Kiyan, is pursuing his own basketball journey at Syracuse University, Anthony’s alma mater. “I’ve been proud to fully support my son at Syracuse, watching him pursue his dreams at my alma mater and being present for his journey,” he says.
The game continues to find its way back to Anthony, too. His new role as an analyst for NBA on NBC carries particular resonance. “It’s been a full-circle moment since I grew up watching it and it helped shape my love for the game,” he says. His podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, continues with season 4 on the way, while Born Melo, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, allowed Anthony to widen the lens on his own story.
“It gave me the opportunity to tell a more complete story, not just about Melo the basketball player but about who I am as a father, a person and everything that has shaped my journey,” he says.
Giving back remains another constant. Through The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, founded in 2005, Anthony has long focused on creating opportunities for young people, with Puerto Rico holding particular significance. “I will always have a special place in my heart for supporting Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican youth,” he says. “It’s the place I come from, and being able to give back to the community that shaped me has always been deeply meaningful.”
Most recently, he joined forces with the YMCA of San Juan to expand opportunities for Puerto Rican youth. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact we can make when we invest in young people and give them the resources and support they need to thrive,” he says.
And then there is New York, forever woven into the Carmelo Anthony story. Watching the Knicks rise again has allowed him to experience the game from a new vantage point, but with a familiar understanding of what the jersey means. “Seeing my city thrive in this way is a feeling I have a hard time putting into words,” he says. “To witness it all unfold and to experience it as a Knicks alum and New Yorker made it even more meaningful and special.”
Anthony knows better than most the particular pressure—and privilege—of playing in Madison Square Garden. “As a New Yorker and a former Knick, I know firsthand the intensity and responsibility that come with wearing that jersey,” he says. “The energy that starts inside the Garden doesn’t stay there; it pours out into the streets and carries throughout the entire city.” What moves him most is the way a team can give a city something larger to believe in. “They didn’t just show up on the court; they gave the entire city something to believe in and rally around,” he says. “Through every high and low, they stayed committed, played with heart, and represented the toughness and resilience that this city is known for.”
That idea—of commitment, resilience and playing for something larger than oneself—feels equally applicable to Anthony’s own next chapter. After a lifetime of understanding the scoreboard, he is increasingly interested in a different measure of winning.
“My next chapter is really about intention,” Anthony says. “I want to take everything I’ve built, everything I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve developed throughout my career and use them to build something that has a lasting impact.”
And perhaps that is the ultimate long game. “I’m proud of my legacy as a basketball player, but I want my legacy to represent much more than what I accomplished on the court,” he says. “It’s about who I am as an entrepreneur, investor, creative, father and human being.”