Carmelo Anthony Planning for 18,000-20,000 Fans at Exhibition Game

Melo continues to hype up his exhibition game in the New York region, and is on the hunt for a venue big enough to host the showcase. Per the NY Post: “During an appearance in Greenwich Village on Thursday, the Knicks forward said he’d like to house the all-star charity event at an 18,000-seat arena, with Izod Center in the Meadowlands being considered. Anthony said the event, which he hopes will include at least nine All-Stars, will take place around Thanksgiving, unless the NBA lockout is settled. Fellow Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are all committed. Even if Anthony has to go across the Hudson River, he’ll do it. The Garden, as an NBA tenant, is off limits, as is the Nets’ Prudential Center because of the lockout. ‘This would be one of the biggest games this summer and it’s New York,’ Anthony said. ‘I don’t think we can hold it at a 4,000-, 5,000-seat arena. Maybe we may have to go to Jersey and hold it at the Izod Center or one of those places that hold 18,000 to 20,000. Because everybody is going to want to come to that game.’ The Nassau Coliseum could be a possibility but is not as likely. The Post reported last week the ‘Melo game in New York hit a road block because his JordanBrand shoe company wanted to become involved and Michael Jordan is the Bobcats owner, causing a conflict.”