Now the Department of Justice is looking into Cube's claims...
From TMZ
TMZ Sports has learned the DOJ launched the inquiry months ago, examining alleged anticompetitive behavior on the part of the NBA, aimed at squashing the Big3's growth.
Those allegations, we're told, range from the NBA purportedly throwing its weight around to prevent sponsors and others potential partners from doing business with the rap legend's league ... to discouraging television networks from carrying Big3 games.
Cube and business partner Jeff Kwatinetz launched the 3-on-3 league, made up almost entirely of retired NBA players, in 2017.
Some current players have expressed a desire to play in Cube's league in the offseason, but we're told, as the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so, putting arbitrary rules in place to stop players from hooping in Ice's league.
FYI, the NBA and Big3 seasons do not overlap.
Of course, it's a regular occurrence for NBA players, including some of the biggest stars in the world like LeBron James, to hoop in non-NBA games after the season ends ... such as L.A.'s famed Drew League.
Big3 officials, according to sources familiar with the investigation, believe they've been unfairly targeted by the NBA.
We've also been told NBA owners have been discouraged from investing in the Big3 while simultaneously owning a franchise.
Referees haven't been immune, either, according to a source ... who says they've been told they cannot officiate for the Big3, despite some working for other organizations outside of the NBA.
A source familiar with the Dept. of Justice investigation tells us Cube and Kwatinetz met with DOJ lawyers during the first half of the year. We're also told investigators have begun reaching out to NBA owners as part of their investigation.
If the government ultimately finds the league committed antitrust violations, the NBA could face a significant fine.
We reached out to the league for comment ... and NBA spokesman Mike Bass, addressing the allegations of sponsorship and TV network interference, pressuring potential Big3 partners, and others, told us, "Those claims are not true."
Bass also added ... "We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest."
10 comments:
Seems like the DOJ has way more important shit to investigate. Police brutality, lynchings, political bullschitt, but go off!
About time. Gatekeepers holding the industry down when there's too many talented kids out there not getting a chance to play! Gooooo Cube!!!
That's right. Go, Cube!
I hope the NBA prevails. Cube is a race traitor.
Ice Cube is an a-s but this time he’s right. NBA gonna pay on this one.
11:38 how so?
#teamcube
@11:10 who gets to decide the staunch southern anti-race mixing white power minded bigot.......? Just asking if the Dept. of Justice was making one violation priority and thinking others were to small maybe they get a guy like I described to sort through thr cases and decide whats important. j/s if its outside of the boundaries of legality in a field they are charged with policing then it is a perfectly good use of their time.
#teamcube
At this point nobody Black cares about Cubes issues. He's been cancled.
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