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Ice Cube has insinuated there may be a concerted effort from the NBA and ESPN to limit the heights of his 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3.

Ice Cube did not offer examples of further details of whatever conflict may exist. However, this isnt the first time hes addressed the NBAs lack of recognition or support for BIG3. The Friday star first spoke out in 2020, when he believed the professional league had stolen from his camp when they changed the format of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. Last year, Cube spoke at length about the discord in an interview with Basketball News. The NBA hasnt been the nicest to the BIG3, Cube said. Of course, publicly, they say all the right words. But we know privately, theres things done behind the scenes sponsors, broadcasters, blah blah blah It did tarnish my fandom a bit. April 25, 2022 On Friday (October 14), BIG3 announced a new milestone in the companys evolution with the announcement that it had officially been certified as a Black-owned and operated business by ByBlack and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. The recognition places Cube and his partners within ByBlacks expanded network, putting BIG3 in position to work directly with Black businesses at every stage and foster relationships with Black Chambers across the country, thus supporting the leagues commitment to supporting Black entrepreneurs. From day one, the league has been dedicated to providing opportunities for Black players, fans, investors, and partners, Cube said, and we are proud to be a part of a nationwide network of Black business owners. While his relationship with the NBA is dicey, Ice Cubes recently founded Contract with Black America has launched a partnership with the NFL, through which the football organization has earmarked $125 million to invest in and partner directly with Black-owned businesses. Subscribe to DX Newsletter Read more