NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 20: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 and Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks in action against the New Jersey Nets on February 20, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Nets defeated the Knicks 100-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Carmelo: 'Linsanity could've been a $100M business'

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Carmelo Anthony believes his former New York Knicks teammate Jeremy Lin could've capitalized a lot more on the Linsanity craze that swept the Big Apple in 2012.

On the latest episode of his "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Anthony dispelled the notion that he wasn't supportive of Linsanity and said he tried to talk Lin into monetizing the phenomenon.

"Linsanity could've been a $100-million business, easy. … And I'm trying to get this through to him," Anthony said. "He like, 'Nah, I'm not brought up on that, my parents.' But I respected that, but I'm like, 'I hear that. Matter of fact, bring your parents in here, and let us talk to them.'"

Lin rose to stardom following a dominant run in February 2012 that came to be known as Linsanity. While it may not have become a $100-million business, Lin did trademark the term and landed an endorsement deal with Volvo.

Lin only played one season for the Knicks, parting ways with the team in July 2012 to join the Houston Rockets. He last played in the NBA during the 2018-19 season for the Toronto Raptors, with whom he won a championship.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS