NBA being investigated over antitrust violations around $2 billion worth Big 3: What we know so far
The US Department of Justice is investigating allegations against the NBA about the league trying to obstruct the growth of the Big3 basketball league headed by rapper Ice Cube.
These claims include accusations that the league discouraged sponsors from working with Big3 and TV networks from airing their games.
Ice Cube started the Big3 league in 2017, and it mainly featured retired NBA players who can still step on the court for a 3-on-3 basketball game.
Despite the fact that both leagues don't overlap, the NBA allegedly set up rules preventing their players from participating in Cube's league, especially in the off-season.
NBA owners have also been reported that they were discouraged by the league to investing in the Big3 tournament. Moreover, active league referees are discouraged from officiating in the Big3.
The US DOJ has been investigating these claims for months. Cube and his partner met with DOJ lawyers along with a few active league owners who were contacted to participate in the investigation.
If the allegations are proven to be true, the NBA could face significant fines. However, the league has denied these claims, saying that they have supported the Big3 but did not choose to invest in the 3-on-3 tournament.
Both the DOJ and Big3 have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, according to the report of TMZ.
Ice Cube expresses lack of support of NBA for Big3
Despite the league saying that they will be supporting the Big3, Ice Cube is disappointed with how the league treats them as competition, hindering their progress with sponsors and networks.
"It's really about not hurting us behind the scenes with sponsors and networks. Calling us "competition" in their bylaws is not right, and we want that not to say competition," said Ice Cube in an interview with CBS Sports.
Despite his disappointment, Cube hopes that the NBA will reconsider its stance and remove the "competition" label to allow fair opportunities for his league to thrive.
"So it's just a little unfair... At a certain point, it's really like if they don't want to work with us I understand that, but doing some of the things they're doing to hurt us is not cool," Cube adds.
Launched in 2017, the Big3 basketball league was co-founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz.
Over the years, the league expanded its initiatives and partnered with Adidas. Despite the hiatus in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Big3 secured significant funding.
In 2023, Jaylen Brown joined the Big3 All-Star Game, making him the first active NBA player to participate in the Big3.