Ayrton Oneill
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA players and international players, and delivers fast-paced, high-energy, and competitive games. In 2019, CBS Sports announced that it had acquired the rights to televise BIG3 games, providing fans with the opportunity to watch their favourite iconic players compete on a shorter, more dynamic format. The BIG3 Basketball League continues to be televised on CBS, with the network recently renewing its contract for the 2024 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Format | 3-on-3 half-court |
| Founding date | 2017 |
| Founders | Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz |
| Televised on | CBS and CBS Sports Network |
| Season duration | 11 weeks |
| Number of new teams in 2019 | 4 |
| Number of cities visited during the 2019 season | 18 |
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What You'll Learn
- The BIG3 basketball league is televised on CBS and CBS Sports Network
- The league was founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube
- It is a 3-on-3 basketball league with 12 teams
- The rules deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball administered by FIBA
- The league features former NBA players and international players
The BIG3 basketball league is televised on CBS and CBS Sports Network
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams whose rosters include former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 league is televised on CBS and CBS Sports Network.
The BIG3 made its television debut on the CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The league played an 11-week season, with all games airing live on the networks. The championship game was aired live on CBS on Sunday, September 1, 2019, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
The BIG3 has since expanded to include four new teams: Aliens, Bivouac, Enemies, and Triplets. The league has also added a draft, which was hosted live on CBS Sports Network. The BIG3's unique financial structure, which allocates 52 percent of league revenue directly to the players, has helped attract a roster of basketball legends and Hall of Famers such as Dwight Howard, Gary Payton, and Stephen Jackson.
The league's rules deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. The BIG3's games are played on a half-court, and the rules contain variations that allow aging stars to showcase skills that might have been underutilized in the NBA. The BIG3 takes place during the NBA offseason, providing a unique opportunity for players and fans alike to experience basketball in a new and exciting format.
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The league was founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube
BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league, which debuted in 2017, consists of 12 teams whose rosters include former NBA players and international players. The rules of BIG3 games deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. BIG3 takes place during the NBA offseason.
Ice Cube is a hip-hop musician and actor who has established himself as one of entertainment's most reliable, successful, and prolific figures. He penned the most memorable lyrics on N.W.A's groundbreaking songs "Straight Outta Compton" and "F Tha Police." Ice Cube left the group at the peak of its success because he felt he was not being paid correctly. As a solo artist, he has sold over 10 million albums and is one of rap's most respected artists. Beyond music, Ice Cube has found success in the film industry, with his company Cube Vision producing the box office hit "Ride Along."
In January 2020, BIG3 announced that its rule set would be the core of a new basketball variant called "Fireball3." The competition was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2021. BIG3 has had several commissioners, including Roger Mason Jr. and Clyde Drexler, and Chris Hannan as CEO. In September 2022, Ice Cube replaced Hannan as the new CEO, and league co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz was named president.
BIG3 has various partnerships and broadcasting deals, including with Adidas, CBS, DAZN, Vyre Network, and its own Big 3 YouTube channel. In 2023, BIG3 launched Big3tv to stream all its games on its website internationally and on non-CBS games in the US. In 2024, BIG3 partnered with streamers to distribute select live games and announced that non-CBS games would be streamed on their official X account in the US.
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It is a 3-on-3 basketball league with 12 teams
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams, including both former NBA players and international players. The rules of BIG3 games deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. The league debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
In 2018, Clyde Drexler became the league's second commissioner, replacing Roger Mason. That same year, the BIG3 and Adidas agreed on a three-year partnership, with Adidas launching a full retail line of sneakers, clothing, and equipment. The BIG3 also launched Young3, a youth initiative for underprivileged children, held in each city with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The BIG3 has since expanded to include four new teams: Aliens, Bivouac, Enemies, and Triplets. The league has also transitioned to a city-based model, with eight teams representing major markets such as Boston (coached by Hall of Famer Gary Payton) and the Washington D.C. metro area (coached by Stephen Jackson). The league's 3-on-3 half-court format allows aging stars to showcase skills that might have been underutilized in the NBA.
The BIG3 operates with a unique financial structure that allocates 52% of league revenue directly to the players, with championship teams earning larger portions. This player-first approach has helped attract a roster of basketball legends, including Hall of Famer Dwight Howard.
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The rules deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball administered by FIBA
Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The rules of Big3 games deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball administered by the FIBA. The FIBA (International Basketball Federation) decides, publishes, and adapts the Official Basketball Rules, which are the only basketball rules recognized internationally. They are comprehensive and address all rule-related aspects of the game.
The rules of Fireball3, the basketball variant played by Big3, differ from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games. Both are played on a half-court. However, the official FIBA 3x3 court is shorter than half of a full FIBA court, but FIBA rules allow half of a regulation FIBA court to be used.
The specific deviations from the FIBA rules in Big3 and Fireball3 are not explicitly stated. However, it can be assumed that there are some variations in the rulesets, as the FIBA rules differ slightly from other basketball leagues like the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. These deviations in the rules of Big3 and Fireball3 likely address the unique situations that arise during competitive games in these leagues.
The deviations from FIBA rules in Big3 and Fireball3 could include variations in court dimensions, scoring systems, player substitutions, or rules regarding fouls and violations. These deviations contribute to the unique format and style of play that sets Big3 and Fireball3 apart from traditional FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 basketball.
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The league features former NBA players and international players
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician, actor, and producer Ice Cube, and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams whose rosters include both former NBA players and international players. Some of the players who have played in the BIG3 include Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, Lamar Odom, and Mike Bibby. The league's coaches are also made up of basketball legends such as Julius Erving, George Gervin, and Gary Payton. The BIG3 league debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
The rules of BIG3 games contain deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. For example, there is no defensive "3-second" rule, unlike in 3x3 and the NBA. Instant replay can be used to determine 3- and 4-point shots, out-of-bounds, flagrant fouls, goaltending, basket interference, and clearance. All defensive strategies are allowed, including hand-checking, which is banned in the NBA. The BIG3 also introduced a 4-point shot, with three 4-point circles beyond the 3-point line.
The BIG3 has proven to be a second chance for former NBA players who still have what it takes to play in the NBA. For example, Greg Oden, who hadn't played professional basketball since 2016, joined the BIG3 league and showed that he could still compete at a high level. Nate Robinson, another former NBA player, averaged 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in his first BIG3 season, proving that he could still play professional basketball.
The BIG3 has also attracted active NBA players, with Jaylen Brown becoming the first active NBA player to participate in the 2023 BIG3 All-Star game. In 2024, Ice Cube offered Caitlin Clark, a "generational athlete," a $5 million private contract to play in the BIG3. The league has also expanded its reach by partnering with Adidas and creating Young3, a youth initiative for underprivileged children.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the BIG3 basketball league will be televised on CBS and CBS Sports Network.
The BIG3 basketball league was founded in 2017 by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz.
The BIG3 basketball league is a 3-on-3 format featuring 12 teams with rosters that include former NBA players and international players. The league offers a shorter, more dynamic, fast-paced and high-energy format that is both competitive and entertaining for fans.
