Inside Ice Cube’s Decision to Sell Ownership of His BIG3 Basketball Franchises

Ice Cube, the veteran hip-hop artist turned sports entrepreneur, is making waves once again in the basketball world. His BIG3 basketball league, known for its fast-paced 3-on-3 format featuring former NBA stars, has recently sold four of its franchises. The teams will now find homes in major cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Houston, marking a strategic move to deepen local engagement and expand the league’s footprint. LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 28: Rapper, actor, and filmmaker Ice Cube smiles for the cameras during the NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Why Is He Selling? Ice Cube and his BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz have overseen BIG3 since its inception in 2017. Now, with the sale of these franchises, they aim to foster deeper community ties through local ownership. “DCB Sports is a natural fit to be among the first owners in our league,” said Kwatinetz in a press release. “We are partnering with owners who have deep ties to their cities, bring new perspectives to the table, and are looking to better their communities through basketball; recognizing that sports teams should give back to the communities they...