The NBA is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice, following allegations of the professional basketball league’s involvement in undermining Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league.

TMZ Sports reports that the DOJ is looking into claims that the NBA has used its authority and influence to hinder the progress and growth of the BIG3 league by dissuading potential sponsors, television networks, NBA players, and referees from collaborating with the BIG3.

According to sources, the NBA is said to have imposed regulations preventing current NBA players from participating in the BIG3, despite the fact that many NBA stars engage in various summer and international leagues during the offseason. Additionally, the NBA is alleged to have discouraged referees from officiating BIG3 games, even though they are permitted to officiate in other leagues.

 

Ice Cube At BIG3 Game In the midst of these allegations, BIG3 co-founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz believe that their league is unfairly targeted by the NBA. Mike Bass, a spokesperson for the NBA, has refuted these claims, stating that they have supported the BIG3 since its inception but chose not to invest in it. Bass also emphasized that the accusations are unfounded. If the NBA is found guilty of violating antitrust laws, it could face penalties and substantial fines.

Ice Cube has openly expressed his suspicion that the NBA has been working against the interests of the BIG3, and he has accused NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league of being a hindrance to his efforts.

“Ever since I put out the contract with Black America, you know they’ve been interfering with me. Here and there, this and that,” the West Coast legend stated in June. “But it’s okay; I expect that. You know, I’ve been working on the BIG3 for a lon

g time, and you know how they’ve been meddling with me. I’ve made it clear what they’ve been doing. The NBA has been interfering with us.”

Ice Cube Wearing Blue Suit Despite Cube’s initial efforts to involve the NBA in the BIG3’s plans, he has now moved on and no longer wishes to collaborate with the league. “Honestly, I don’t care about working with the NBA,” he added. “What I want them to do, when I sаy ‘work with us,’ is to stop working against us… We can manage on our own. We continue to rise without their involvement. We don’t need them.”

The BIG3 recently completed its sixth season since its launch in 2017, achieving a significant increase in viewership ratings.