Music artist and owner Ice Cube performs during week four of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league at American Airlines Center. Aric Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Ice Cube accuses NBA, ESPN of trying to destroy his league

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 10/19/22

Ice Cube is going after Adam Silver this time instead of Jerry Heller.

Retired former NBA swingman Stephen Jackson took to social media recently with a message of support for the rapper and businessman. Jackson, who is now a head coach in Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league, also called on fans to come and attend BIG3 games.

I AIN'T GOING TO LIE!!! @icecube DOING HIS THING BEING A SPORTS MANAGER!!! I MOST DEFINITELY SUPPORT HIM!!! #SportsManagement pic.twitter.com/4USaChdzeJ

— DOUBLE (@doublemuzic) October 15, 2022

Ice Cube thanked Jackson for the message and also said that the NBA and ESPN were trying to destroy the BIG3.

Appreciate you @DaTrillStak5. We definitely need everybody’s support. The @nba and @espn are doing everything in their powers to ignore or destroy @thebig3 https://t.co/e9pO6JlTGl

— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 15, 2022

Ice Cube later doubled down by tweeting a link to a YouTube video accusing the NBA and ESPN of “hating” on the BIG3.

NBA & ESPN Exposed for Hating On Ice Cube’s Big3 League… Can’t Stand To … https://t.co/2rjabRWz6M via @YouTube

— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 18, 2022

Having launched in 2017, the three-on-three basketball league has successfully recruited several former NBA All-Stars like Joe Johnson, Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis and Amar’e Stoudemire. The BIG3’s games also air on CBS Sports after previously airing on Fox Sports 1. They do not air on ESPN, which is a broadcast partner of the NBA.

Ice Cube has done a pretty good job of building the BIG3 from the ground up and even managed to get one of his players back into the NBA. But he clearly believes there are greater forces praying for the BIG3’s downfall.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: