Ice Cube’s basketball league, the BIG3, has been certified as a Black-owned and operated business by ByBlack and US Black Chambers, Inc. The announcement makes the innovative 3-on-3 basketball league, the first and only sports league to achieve this certification.
Initially launched in 2017 by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the league recently began selling ownership-like franchise stakes powered by blockchain technology. Snoop Dogg, Ken Howery, and Gary Vaynerchuk are among some of the prominent people who have bought teams.
Ice Cube had this to say when discussing the history-making achievement, “Myself and the entire league are honored to be officially certified by ByBlack and the US Black Chambers. From day one, the league has been dedicated to providing opportunities for Black players, fans, investors, and partners, and we are proud to be a part of a nationwide network of Black business owners. Supporting Black enterprise is a lifelong passion of mine and the BIG3 will continue to build upon its successes and lift up other Black entrepreneurs.”
During a 2019 exclusive Conversations With Chad interview, Ice Cube spoke on the growing popularity of the Big3 professional 3-on-3 basketball league saying, “It’s a scary thing to go out there like that. The night before we launched, me and my guy that started it, Jeff, we asked each other if we were ready to burn the ships, meaning we’re about to go into sports and there’s no turning back. Live or die by this idea. After we launch, everybody’s looking at us sideways and shit like, ‘What the fuck, Cube? Really?’
Continuing that thought, Cube insisted, “But, if the basketball is respectable and credible, this could work. As long as we keep our eye on that and not turn it into no side-show bullshit, but it’s real competitive basketball and guys are going hard. All of these things are the formula and the ingredients that makes this work.”
Congratulations, Ice Cube and the Big3 League!