Famous rapper and songwriter Ice Cube has his grudges against the NBA. After accusing the NBA of many allegations about trying to “destroy” the Big3 Ice Cube seems to have gone a step further. Recently, the US DOJ (Department of Justice) has launched investigations against the NBA.
The US Department of Justice is currently looking into claims that the NBA engaged in anticompetitive activities to hamper the expansion of Ice Cube’s Big3 basketball league. The claims cover a wide variety of topics, including the NBA allegedly using its influence to discourage sponsors and other possible partners from doing business with the rapper’s basketball league and discouraging television networks from airing Big3 games.
NBA Investigated By DOJ Over Alleged Anticompetitive Behavior Targeting Big3 https://t.co/A5Bwt1u7zu
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) October 24, 2023
The DOJ initiated the investigation a few months back and is currently looking into several charges that the NBA vigorously refutes. Since its launch in 2017, Ice Cube’s Big3 has seen significant success. The fact that it is still in use after five years is a testament to its expanding appeal.
The NBA’s spokesperson Mike Bass refuted the claims that the league was pressuring possible Big3 partners and interfering with sponsorship and TV networks. He further revealed that the league has supported the Big3 ever since it was founded, even though the NBA did not invest in the league upfront.
Ice Cube has previously accused the NBA and ESPN of trying to “destroy” the Big3
The songwriter and rapper has had his differences with the basketball league for a long time now. The rapper and his league claimed in 2020 that the league had incorporated The Big3’s Elam rule into that year’s All-Star game. The rule, which has been in effect since The Big 3’s debut season in 2017, states that after the first three quarters, the game clock is stopped, and the first team to a predetermined score wins.
In 2022 he said that the NBA has not been supportive of his Big3 league. The top professional league doesn’t seem to have any issues with their 3X3 rivals, but the American rapper and businessman emphasized that isn’t the case at all. As of the moment, The DOJ is investigating allegations that the NBA used various tactics to obstruct the development of the Big 3.
Some senior officials of the Big3 also revealed that the NBA has unfairly targeted them. It’s unclear what Adam Silver and the NBA will say in response to Ice Cube’s assertion, but it will be intriguing to see whether they can come to an amicable agreement.