Ice Cube’s BIG3 League has secured a major deal following a recent snub from Caitlin Clark.
Cube is taking his professional 3-on-3 basketball league local, starting with Los Angeles, per Clutch Points. The long-awaited transition, sealed with a $10 million deal, is in collaboration with DCB Sports.
“This is a historic day for the BIG3,” Ice Cube said in a press release, the outlet reports. “We could not be happier to entrust part of our league to Gary and this seasoned group of sports investors ahead of our most important season yet. We have all-star basketball talent, millions of loyal fans around the world, and we are one of the most viewed sports programs of the summer on CBS.
“Basing our teams in home cities allows BIG3 to engage local communities and fanbases and bringing in ownership groups each with their own sports expertise, business, and capabilities beginning in 2025 will allow BIG3 to grow exponentially. I know that DCB Sports will do right by the people of Los Angeles and together, we’ll continue to change the game.”
DCB partner Matt Sherman seemed equally excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the BIG3, citing the league’s global reach and potential for growth.
“In addition to building out the Los Angeles franchise, we hope to help drive innovation within the global basketball ecosystem and be a catalyst for growth and connectivity internationally,” said Sherman. “The BIG3 is the most dynamic blend of culture, entertainment, and sports, and it’s exciting to see what the league has in store for this next chapter.”
Last month, Cube and his co-founder, Jeff Kwatinetz, targeted Caitlin Clark’s agents, alleging they played a role in derailing negotiations with the young prodigy as she made her way to the WNBA, ultimately signing with the Indiana Fever — securing the top spot in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
In a statement shared on the N.W.A veteran’s website, written by Kwatinetz, the duo accused Clark’s agents of affiliations with the “NBA mob.”
“We have reason to believe these male agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our trailblazing offer with Caitlin let alone facilitated Caitlin meeting with the BIG3 to discuss the opportunity,” said Kwatinetz. “From our perspective, these representatives don’t seem to work for an individual client like Caitlin. They seem to work for the NBA mob, as their client list is a who’s who of NBA players.”
However, if this new deal is any indication, the league is moving forward, suggesting a promising future ahead.