First Franchise of Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball League Sold for $10 Million
Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball League makes headlines as it sells its inaugural franchise for a massive $10 million, signaling a significant milestone in the league's growth and expansion. We discuss it here!
By: Joshua Martin
Ice Cube’s BIG3 league sells its first franchise for a massive $10 million dollars as the league continues its expansion plans.
The deal was announced on Friday, May 10th by a group led by investment firm DCB Sports out of Los Angeles. The new team will be based in L.A. and is no doubt a monumental milestone for the basketball league.
The eight-figure deal comes as the league transitions from a traveling model to one where each team in the league is based in its home city. A move the Hip-Hop legend believes will strengthen the league’s respective fanbases.
“We need to plant our roots in cities so we can be more than a rolling all-star game coming through. It’s really about growing the sport and the league. We can plant our roots in these cities. It is great to come through with, like, a rolling All-Star event. But if you want to really unlock the fan-base potential, connecting to cities does that.”
The league is not only adding a new franchise in Los Angeles but the BIG3 is looking to add four new ownership groups by the start of the 2024 BIG3 season in June. With the hopes of having all 12 of their existing teams sold prior to the 2025 BIG3 season.
Gary LaDrido of DCB Sports Managing Partner, pointed to 3-on-3 basketball being introduced as an Olympic sport back in 2021 at the 2020 Tokyo Games as a contributing factor in his group’s acquisition of the L.A. franchise.
“We view it as an interesting property. Grabbing the LA market is super cool — and for Ice Cube to trust us to usher that in.”
The 2024 BIG3 season will kick off on June 15 in Oakland, Calif.
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Jaylen Brown Makes History As The First Active NBA Player To Play In The BIG3 League
Boston Celtics All-Star NBA Forward Jaylen Brown made history becoming the first active NBA player to join Ice Cube’s BIG3 League. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
By: Joshua Martin
On August 26th, Legendary West Coast rapper and Entrepreneur Ice Cube brought his BIG3 basketball league to London, where fans of the sport could enjoy the league’s All-Star game. Among the many stars on the court, Boston Celtics All-Star NBA Forward Jaylen Brown made history by joining team “BIG3”. He is the first active NBA player to participate in the increasingly popular 3-on-3 exhibition. Brown recently made headlines for signing the largest contract in NBA history, a 5-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Boston Celtics.
Before his appearance on the court, Ice Cube took to Twitter to show his appreciation for Brown while also explaining to his followers the magnitude of his participation.
Jaylen Brown is my hero. He’s making a humongous statement by being the first current NBA player to play in a BIG3 game. By suiting up for our All Star game tomorrow, he’s doing everything in his power to help the league succeed. Salute. Forever grateful…
— Ice Cube (@icecube) August 26, 2023
He played well but not well enough to help his team secure the win. The All-Star tallied up nine points, five rebounds, and two assists in a 51-42 loss against the opposing squad led by Jodie Meeks, Gerald Green, and Jason Richardson.
Ice Cube and BIG 3 League At All-Star Game in London.
Photo Credit: VIA Ice Cube Twitter
In a brief interview, Brown was asked his reason behind playing in the game.
“Having some fun with charity, giving back to the community, and supporting, that’s it. It’s amazing being in this environment. Shout out to London, shout out to the O2 Arena. Excited to give back to charity, excited to be a part of this, and I appreciate you, Ice Cube. ”
Cube then followed up with another take on Brown’s participation.
“ I was blown away. I asked him if was he sure he wanted to make this move. He was like, ‘Yo, I wanna do this for the game, for the players, and it’s a big move for the league.”
The BIG3 league comprises mostly retired and former NBA players on their rosters. Brown’s involvement with the league may open the door for more active players to do the same.
Watch the BIG3 All-Star game right here on 247 Live Culture.
2023 BIG3 All-Star Gam