Ice Cube‘s allegations that the NBA have been trying to to “destroy” his BIG3 basketball league have spawned an investigation by the U.S. Government.
According to TMZ, the Department of Justice quietly launched an investigation “months ago” over claims that the NBA attempted to stifle Cube’s 3-on-3 league, violating antitrust laws.
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The West Coast rap legend has long blown the whistle regarding the National Basketball Association’s alleged efforts to slow the progress of BIG3. His claims include the NBA discouraging potential sponsors and television networks from partnering with his burgeoning brand.
BIG3 officials also believe the NBA has targeted them unfairly and pressured owners not to invest in their league.
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Cube further believes that the NBA has implemented rules disallowing their current players from participating in BIG3 games, despite them being free to play in other off-season competitions like the Drew League.
Even referees have been caught in the cross-fire as they allegedly haven’t been able to double-dip in the NBA and BIG3, which operate on different schedules.
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Ice Cube and BIG3 co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz reportedly met with the DOJ earlier this year and the NBA could be facing a hefty fine if found in violation of the antitrust laws.
NBA spokesperson, Mike Bass, denied all of the allegations levied against the league in a statement to TMZ. “Those claims are not true,” he said. “We have been supportive of the BIG3 since its inception, but we declined to invest.”
Cube pushed back claiming that they never asked for the NBA to invest in the league.
“Correction: BIG3 never asked the NBA to invest, we just want them to stop pressuring individuals and corporations not to invest in the BIG3. They must be stopped,” he wrote to Twitter.
Ice Cube previously told Joe Rogan in June that his growing basketball league will have to fight back against the NBA’s alleged campaign for it to survive and thrive in the future.
“We’re not trying to compete in any shape or form with the NBA. We’re very complimentary,” he said. “So I don’t understand the things that’s being done behind the scenes. Encouraging people to not sponsor us. Encouraging networks not to play us.”
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“We’ve been able to survive but at a certain point it’s just redundant and ridiculous and we gotta fight back in some shape or form,” he added.
Ice Cube made history when launching the BIG3, which became the first Black-owned sports league in America. The league wrapped up yet another season in August with The Enemies, led by Isaiah Austin, lifting the championship trophy.
