Ice Cube’s BIG3 is rapidly expanding!
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the 3-on-3 basketball league recently sold teams in Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; and Miami, FL, in deals reportedly worth $10 million each as they seek to venture away from a touring league to a city-based model, which will go into effect for the 2025 season.
“We need to plant our roots in cities so we can be more than a rolling all-star game coming through,” BIG3 CEO and Co-Founder Ice Cube told Bloomberg at the time. “It’s really about growing the sport and the league.”
In recent news, Detroit, MI, has been announced as the next city to house a BIG3 franchise thanks to the interest of ownership group GameAbove Sports, which includes Founder and Chairman Keith J. Stone and Detroit pro sports figures George Gervin and T.J. Lang, MLive reports.
Former NBA point guard Earl Boykins is working closely with GameAbove Sports as well.
“The entire team at GameAbove and I are thrilled to bring a BIG3 franchise to the Motor City,” Gervin said, according to the outlet. “My experience as part of the BIG3 these past few seasons has shown me that the league is at the forefront of 3-on-3 basketball’s increasing growth and global traction. Detroit’s rich sports history makes it a fantastic market for the BIG3; get ready for next summer!
Ice Cube added:
“I am excited to finally announce the sale of our Detroit team to this amazing group of investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists. GameAbove Sports and its leadership represent the values of the BIG3 every day and have an exemplary community outreach infrastructure that will take the Young3 initiative to a new level. It’s been a privilege to work with George Gervin over the past few BIG3 seasons and I know what he means to the Detroit and Southeast Michigan community. I look forward to working together with GameAbove Sports to bring the vision of BIG3 Detroit to life next season.”
Looking ahead, Big3 plans for its footprint to reach locations including London, England, and Toronto, Canada by 2025, per Bloomberg.
