January 26th 2025.
Recently, Carmelo Anthony found himself in a federal courthouse, taking the stand to share a heartfelt story about his venture into launching a professional soccer team in Puerto Rico. The 10-time NBA All-Star appeared in a Brooklyn courthouse on January 22nd to provide testimony in a trial involving the North American Soccer League (NASL), the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and Major League Soccer (MLS). According to reports from The Athletic, Anthony recounted the three years he spent dedicated to building Puerto Rico FC, a team he purchased in 2015 in the NASL.
For Anthony, this was more than just a business opportunity. He saw it as a chance to make a positive impact on his native island, to bring sports and hope to a place close to his heart. "I had an opportunity to revitalize the island, bring sports to the island," he shared in court. "This was the route I chose to take to bring something back to my island."
The trial revolves around the NASL's claims that the USSF and MLS worked together to undermine their league's ability to compete, leading to its downfall. The NASL argues that they were denied accreditation as a Division I or II league, ultimately causing their collapse. They point to the connection between MLS and the USSF, specifically through Soccer United Marketing, the commercial arm of MLS that worked with the federation.
On the other hand, the USSF and MLS have a different perspective. They believe the NASL's downfall was due to their business ties with Aaron Davidson, a key investor involved in the 2015 FIFA bribery scandal. They also argue that the NASL did not meet the necessary standards to qualify as a Division I or II league.
The NASL's legal team brought in Anthony to testify, hoping to sway the jury and U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez with his personal experience. Anthony spoke about the time, money, and resources he poured into the Puerto Rican professional soccer team. He recalled his decision to partner with the NASL, the same league that housed the Puerto Rico Islanders, "the only team we knew."
For Anthony, this was not just a business decision, but a personal one. He wanted to bring professional soccer to Puerto Rico, a place that held a special significance to him because of his paternal grandparents. However, the team faced challenges from the start. They began their first season in the fall of 2016, but just two years later, they were forced to shut down.
Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, played a significant role in the team's unfortunate fate. The team's stadium was destroyed, and many staff members and players were left without homes. Despite the difficulties, the team managed to finish the 2017 season, with some games relocated to Florida. However, their ultimate goal of playing in Puerto Rico seemed out of reach. "We couldn't go back to the island," Anthony explained.
As if the stress and challenges caused by Hurricane Maria were not enough, the USSF rejected the NASL's application for Division II sanctioning for the 2018 season, leading to the league's suspension of operations. "It was just destroyed," Anthony expressed, referring to Puerto Rico FC. "The fact that we didn't get the sanctions - that hurt us too."
In the defense's attempt to discredit the NASL's claims, Keisha-Ann G. Gray of Proskauer Rose, representing MLS, referenced Anthony's previous deposition from several years ago. In that testimony, he stated that Puerto Rico FC was unable to return to the field due to Hurricane Maria, not because of the USSF's denial of sanctioning. However, Anthony quickly shut down this argument, stating, "I didn't get a chance to elaborate."
The NASL's main argument is that the USSF's denial of sanctioning was the cause of their league's failure, not their inability to secure Division I status. And for Anthony, who invested so much time and effort into building Puerto Rico FC, this trial is not just about winning a case. It's about sharing his story and making sure the truth is heard.
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