The NBA is under investigation and being accused of “Anticompetitive Behavior”. Earlier this summer, Ice Cube released a video announcing a “podcast Tour”. This tour would consist of Ice Cube making appearances on shows to speak about the BIG3. This creates the question, how does a league with this star power need help? With the likes of Lisa Leslie, Julius Erving, Charles Oakley, Joe Johnson, Kenyon Martin, and Ice Cube, why are they needing help with promotions? This is something Ice Cube was trying to shed light on with his mention of the “Gatekeepers” of the industry.
ASAP Sports was able to sit down with ICE CUBE for an exclusive interview ahead of the BIG3’s weekend in Chicago.
NBA Under Investigation
Fast forward to now where reports are coming out that the NBA is under investigation by the Department of Justice. They are bein investigated for “anticompetitive behavior and Diminishing Ice Cube’s Big3 League”. According to reports by TMZ the NBA is allegedly “using its name and popularity to prevent the sponsors from working with the BIG3. The NBA is also being accused of discouraging TV networks from giving the growing league exposure and coverage”. The NBA has allegedly gone as far as “preventing players, owners, and referees from working with the Big3.
BIG3 Success
BIG3 averaged around 530,000 viewers per broadcast on CBS and a .33 average rating. Yes, the BIG3 outperformed other popular sports such as Premier League Soccer, WNBA on ESPN, and Premier Lacrosse League, in view numbers (per www.thesource.com). This raised more questions about the NBA as the numbers do present a motive for the argument. Furthermore, what Ice Cube has done with the BIG3 in this short time is amazing. The league is growing, a mainstream media contract to be presented in front of a national audience is the only thing left.
We will be keeping an eye out for updates on this situation. This situation can very well get messy over the next few months. It will be interesting to see how the NBA responds to these allegations against them.
