The NBA is being investigated by the United States Department of Justice over allegations the league attempted to sabotage Ice Cube’s Big3 league, according to TMZ Sports. The league has denied the allegations.

Ice Cube and Big3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz have met with Department of Justice lawyers regarding concerns the NBA may have engaged in anticompetitive behavior.

The allegations include the NBA interfering with sponsorship deals, discouraging television networks from broadcasting games, and making arbitrary rules to prevent players from joining the league, despite the NBA and Big3 seasons not overlapping.

The report also claims Big3 officials believe they have been “unfairly targeted by the NBA” and sources in the story say NBA owners have been discouraged from investing in Ice Cube’s league.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass told TMZ the allegations were “not true”.

“We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest.”

The NBA would face a substantial fine if found guilty.

  • GotMoFansBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    The NBA doesn’t need to work with the BIG3, but barring players and referees from participating (when they already participate with other events/leagues) seems like a step too far.

    I don’t think the NBA allows any of its players to take player contracts in any other leagues.

    Usually when they play in other events, it’s representing their country, charity events, or for personal fun. It’s not for pay from a competing league.

    You could also argue that it is beneficial for the NBA to work with the BIG3, either in helping to increase the popularity of basketball in general, as a development option, or as a semi-retirement option for guys who can still hoop but can’t handle the full grind.

    I’d say that Ice Cube’s public persona since he first presented BIG3 has been enough for the NBA to stay away.

    The NBA wants control and they can’t control BIG3. I don’t know if the BIG3 doesn’t much to expand basketball’s popularity in a way it helps the NBA. If anything, the BIG3’s who business model is to ride the NBA’s coattails and try to force the NBA to pretend as if the BIG3 is a sanctioned partner.

    The BIG3 is trying to expand, using the NBA’s brand and prestige to their own benefit but it doesn’t help the NBA at all other than filling dates in NBA franchise controlled arenas in the summer.