Ice Cube, the hip-hop icon turned sports entrepreneur and founder of The Big 3 basketball league, has recently released a video accusing the National Basketball Association (NBA) of actively boycotting his 3 v 3 basketball league.
In the video, Ice Cube hints at a planned ‘F**k the Gatekeepers podcast tour,’ set to take place over the next few weeks, during which he aims to highlight the NBA’s alleged efforts to undermine The Big 3.
Ice Cube did not mince words in his video, directly accusing the NBA of viewing The Big 3 as a threat and orchestrating a boycott against the league.
Even though The Big 3 mostly comprises retired NBA players, the NBA is, according to Ice Cube, discouraging potential sponsors and networks from supporting or covering The Big 3 games.
The Essence of The Big 3 League
For those unfamiliar, The Big 3 is a professional basketball league showcasing 3 vs 3 team games. The players are a blend of semi-professional players and retired NBA stars. Unlike the NBA, The Big 3 offers a different set of rules and a distinct game dynamic, making it a non-competitive counterpart rather than a rival to the NBA.
Every year, the winning team of the finals receives the prestigious Julius Erving Championship Trophy, named after the iconic basketball player. This annual event has attracted basketball enthusiasts who appreciate the mix of new talents and retired NBA stars.
Despite the apparent friction with the NBA, The Big 3 has secured broadcasting deals with CBS/Paramount+ for domestic coverage in the U.S. International fans can tune in to games via DAZN, the Vyre Network, and Youtube. These developments signify a step towards mainstream recognition for the league and signal a promising future despite the challenges of the NBA’s alleged boycott.
