FanHouse

The world of sports agentry is an odd one, to say the least. But the mild saga surrounding Carmelo Anthony's representation seems especially complex. Back on March 17, the Rocky Mountain News (citing a Nuggets statement) reported 'Melo had left BDA Sports for his marketing needs, while retaining BDA agent Calvin Andrews as his rep for future NBA contracts. A week later, ESPN's Ric Bucher refuted the News's report, saying BDA helped net 'Melo a new $60 million endorsement deal with Nike. (The headline in fact reads "BDA helps Anthony continue prosperous relationship" -- a very odd headline to appear on ESPN.com.)

On Wednesday, CNBC's Darren Rovell blew Bucher's story up, quoting a fairly straight-forward statement from Team 'Melo which says BDA will not be involved in future marketing or endorsement deals, though Andrews (who will remain with BDA) will remain 'Melo's NBA agent. (Just like the News reported.)

This all leads to two questions: 1) Who exactly negotiated 'Melo's new Nike deal? Bucher reports very plainly that BDA did the deed; the News's story announcing the end of the BDA-'Melo relationship predates the apparent consummation of the deal. 2) Why did Bucher go to bat for BDA? In his story, Bucher quotes Andrews as saying BDA will still be involved in marketing for 'Melo, and Bucher goes to great effort to explain the NBA-wide move toward non-exclusivity for marketing representation, apparently as a way to bolster (or preserve) BDA's reputation. But Anthony's statement to Rovell -- "I have terminated BDA Sports and its marketing group from all future marketing and PR efforts" -- plainly refutes that, and Bucher had to know there would be another side to the story.

It has always been suspected a select few agents and players are in Bucher's ear, and that he allows them to use his wattage as a top NBA reporter for ESPN, ESPN.com, and ESPN The Magazine to push their agendas to national audience. (Bucher's relationship with Kobe Bryant and Rob Pelinka comes to mind.) Add this to the file, I suppose.