Carmelo Anthony gives strong testimony in $500 million conspiracy case against top sports executives

NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is involved in a high-profile trial between the extinct North American Soccer League (NASL), the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Major League Soccer (MLS). On Wednesday, the former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks star took the podium to discuss the reasons behind the NASL's shutdown in the $500 million antitrust trial.

He purchased Puerto Rico FC in 2015, inspired by the Puerto Rico Islanders, a professional soccer team that competed in several leagues, including the NASL, from 2003 to 2012.

“I had an opportunity to revitalize the island, bring sports to the island,” Anthony testified in court, per Melanie Anzidei of The Athletic. “This was the route I chose to take to bring something back to my island.”

Carmelo Anthony - who has Puerto Rico roots through his paternal side - also discussed the team's effect on the people he spoke to then, adding that it was proof that they had something good in their hands.

“I saw happiness, joy,” Anthony said. “That’s when I knew I had something that was getting good.”

When Hurricane Maria hit the Island in Sep. 2017, the team was left without a stadium, forcing them to compete in Florida. Things fell apart when the USSF denied the NASL's application for Division II sanctioning in 2018, causing the league to suspend its activities.

“It was just destroyed,” Anthony said of Puerto Rico FC. “The fact that we didn’t get the sanctions – that hurt us too.”

The NASL filed an antitrust lawsuit against the USSF eight years ago. Years later, the MLS was involved in the case, too, as the NASL accused both organizations of conspiring against them. In addition to Carmelo Anthony, Kansas City Chiefs CEO and co-owner Clark Hunt are expected to testify on Thursday.

The NASL claims that the USSF and MLS deliberately ruined the former's plans to compete with the MLS, denying them Division I and Division II accreditation.

How did Puerto Rico FC perform under Carmelo Anthony's ownership?

Puerto Rico FC midfielder Michael Kafari (21) heads the ball during an NASL game against the New York Cosmos. (Credits: IMAGN)

Puerto Rico FC wasn't the strongest team in the NASL in two seasons, with Carmelo Anthony in front of the team. The 2016 season finished 12th (24 points in 32 games), the last spot on the standings, with Hector Ramos scoring eight goals.

In 2017, they finished eighth, gaining one additional point compared to the previous season, though they remained at the bottom of the standings. They achieved 25 points over 32 matches, with Conor Doyle and Emery Welshman emerging as the top scorers, each netting five goals.