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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Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling Set for Feb. 8 Outside Lakers Arena
A Kobe Bryant statue is scheduled to be revealed outside the Crypto.com Arena by the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8, 2024. We discuss it here!
Kobe Byrant (credit: Scott Halleran)
By: Adonis Armstrong
Vanessa Bryant revealed on Thursday, August 24th, that the Los Angeles Lakers intend to reveal a Kobe Bryant statue on February 8, 2024. The announcement was conveyed through a video posted on the Lakers' social media platforms at 8:24 a.m. Set to occur outdoors at the Crypto.com Arena, the ceremony marks the initial in a series of commemorations planned by the team to honor Bryant's enduring legacy.
Kobe’s legacy immortalized.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 24, 2023
2•8•24 pic.twitter.com/WHQBXZJ2gD
For numerous fans, August 24th holds significance as Mamba Day, a tribute to the jerseys Kobe wore during his Lakers career, marked by the numbers 8 and 24.
On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right here in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as 'The House that Kobe Built,' we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever, Vanessa stated.
The statue ceremony date also serves as a tribute to their late daughter, Gianna Bryant, who donned the number 2 jersey.
Taking his place among highly regarded Lakers figures, Bryant will be the seventh individual to be commemorated with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena. He will join the ranks of Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and broadcaster Chick Hearn.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations, affirmed that Bryant's influence will tangibly manifest in the space he helped shape, affording everyone the opportunity to pay homage to the departed NBA icon.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss additionally released a statement regarding the impending ceremony, expressing that Kobe stood as one of the most legendary figures in the history of Los Angeles.
“There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements,” Buss stated.
Coinciding with the ceremony, the Lakers are scheduled to face off against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, on the same day.
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Nike Confirms 'Halo' Kobe Protro 8 for Kobe's Birthday
Nike honors Kobe Bryant's legacy with Kobe 8 Retro Protro 'Halo' sneaker drop and youth basketball tournament on his 45th Birthday. We discuss it here!
Kobe Bryant (Kevin Winter/GettyImages)
By: Joshua Martin
Despite there being a bit of controversy surrounding Kobe Bryant’s estate and his wife Vanessa following the Los Angeles icon’s death in 2020, fans of the Nike Kobe line will receive another sneaker drop honoring the legend on what would have been the star’s 45th birthday.
The latest Kobe 8 retro Protro release from Nike will be available for the first time in full family-sizing on August 23, 2023, aligning with the vision of Vanessa Bryant that all of his fans should be able to wear his sneakers. First released in 2012, the updated version of the shoe will feature modern materials within the sneaker while sticking to its classic look.
For its reintroduction, we're getting a crisp all-white version of the silhouette. Officially nicknamed "Halo," the colorway was created by his wife as a way to honor Kobe's birthday each year. The shoe will be available through Nike SNKRS and select retailers online and in-store. The retail price for adults will be available ($180), big kids ($120), and little kids ($90).
“I am so proud that my husband’s shoes are still the most worn by players on NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes remain so desired by his fans around the world.”
In addition to the sneaker release, Nike will hold a two-day youth basketball tournament at LA's Crypto.com Arena beginning on Aug. 23 culminating on Mamba Day, Aug. 24.
“Kobe Bryant means so much to so many of us, not just NBA fans but globally beyond the game”
Vanessa Bryant hinted that "this will be one of the many Kobe 8 'Halo' styles coming soon." I personally am a fan of the Kobe Crazy 8’s from Adidas nevertheless the legacy of the Black Mamba will live on forever. On and off the court.
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Vanessa Bryant Awarded $28.85 Million from L.A. County
Vanessa Bryant settles remaining claims with Los Angeles County for $28.85 million following the helicopter crash that killed her husband Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and seven others. We discuss it here!
By: Joshua Martin
Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, has agreed to settle her remaining claims with Los Angeles County for $28.85 million dollars.
According to ABC News, Vanessa Bryant attorney Luis Li addressed the ruling in a statement.
“Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct. She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice” - Luis Li, Vanessa Bryant's attorney
Co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were also killed in the crash, also settled for $19.95 million.
LA County attorneys believe the settlement is “fair and reasonable” and hopefully allows the Bryant and Chester families to heal from their loss.
Kobe, Gianna and others connected to the Mamba Sports Academy were headed to Thousand Oaks for a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed killing all nine passengers onboard in the Calabasas Hills west of L.A.
Several months later Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, claiming that the first responders took photos of her deceased husband and child as “souvenirs” and inappropriately shared them with others.
In August 2022, a jury awarded Bryant $16 million after she sued the county for negligence and invasion of privacy.
Federal officials blame pilot error as the cause of the crash.