Carmelo Anthony says he understands Odell Beckham Jr.’s now-viral claim that a $100 million contract isn’t as life-changing as people think.
On a new episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, the former NBA star broke down why Beckham’s comments about the challenges of stretching a five-year, $100 million NFL deal made perfect sense to him.
Anthony said many fans have no idea how fast that much money shrinks once taxes, fees, and lifestyle adjustments hit.
“That’s $100 million,” Melo said, “but it’s not really $100 million over a five-year span.”
He explained that between federal, state, and city taxes, especially in markets like New York, athletes can lose nearly half of their earnings immediately.
“You’re talking 58 percent to 60 percent or 48 percent, half your check,” he said. “So that 10 goes to 5 over five years. And within that five, you’ve got other taxes you gotta pay.”
Anthony said that after taxes, players still face major financial obligations.
“You’ve gotta live," the Hall of Famer explained "You gotta get a house, take care of your moms, you got your agency fee, all this shit happening within that $5 million.”
Melo emphasized that, even though athletes earn large sums, the sudden shift to a high-profile lifestyle can create pressures many aren’t prepared for.
“Your lifestyle changes drastically,” he continued. “And that drastic lifestyle change fucks you up mentally. That’s the gray area that fucks a lot of athletes up.”
His comments echo Beckham Jr.’s recent explanation on The Pivot Podcast, where the Miami Dolphins receiver said a $100 million contract, which becomes closer to $60 million after taxes, must stretch across years of expenses, investments, and family responsibilities.
Beckham argued that without discipline, even elite earners risk financial trouble.
Shannon Sharpe also reacted to the clip, questioning Beckham’s math and suggesting that proper financial discipline should make $100 million more than workable. But Beckham wasn’t having it.
After the old clip resurfaced and sparked widespread debate, OBJ took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the backlash.
“Boy u can’t say nothin in this world nowadays, that’s why I been in my own lane my own world,” he wrote. “People love to take shxt [sic] completely outta context to rationalize a statement in their own head… what a world.”