Ice Cube has thrown down the gauntlet, accusing the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) of blocking an exciting showdown between his BIG3 all-stars and the Netherlands’ gold-winning three-on-three basketball team.
In an interview with CBS Sports during the BIG3 playoffs in Nashville, Ice Cube expressed his frustrations. “To their credit, [the Netherlands] accepted the challenge but it’s FIBA. FIBA is scared of the BIG3, so FIBA’s preventing them from playing in our all-star game,” he said.
Ice Cube had extended this challenge after the Netherlands thrashed Team USA 21-6 at the Olympics. Notably, Team USA was missing their star player, Jimmer Fredette, due to injury.
According to Ice Cube, the politics involved are ruining the fun for fans. “It sucks when politicians get in the way of sports and fandom,” he lamented. Despite FIBA’s block, he reassured fans that the BIG3 would still have a cracking all-star and celebrity game.
The rapper isn’t new to these kinds of disputes. Last year, he made similar claims against the NBA, accusing them of hindering the BIG3’s growth. On Joe Rogan’s podcast, he said, “We’re not trying to compete in any shape or form with the NBA. We’re very complimentary, so I don’t understand what’s being done behind the scenes.”
Furthermore, Ice Cube alleged that the NBA influenced sponsors and networks to shy away from BIG3. Such allegations even led the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the NBA on potential antitrust law violations.
The NBA has denied these accusations. Mike Bass, an NBA spokesperson, told TMZ, “Those claims are not true. We have been supportive of the BIG3 since its inception, but we declined to invest.” Ice Cube, however, fired back, “Correction: BIG3 never asked the NBA to invest, we just want them to stop pressuring individuals and corporations not to invest in the BIG3. They must be stopped.”
Whether it’s FIBA or the NBA, Ice Cube is adamant about safeguarding the interests of his BIG3 league. He remains committed to offering fans an exciting and unique basketball experience, undeterred by political obstacles.
