What Happened to BIG3 League?

The BIG3 League was officially launched on January 11, 2017, by rapper and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, with a vision to professionalize 3-on-3 basketball featuring former NBA players. The league introduced its unique 'Fireball3' rules, which deviate from standard 3-on-3 basketball, emphasizing half-court play to 50 points. Initially operating with a touring model where all teams were centrally owned, the league quickly gained traction by offering a platform for aging basketball stars to continue playing competitively during the NBA offseason.

A significant turning point for the BIG3 came in 2025 when it transitioned from its barnstorming format to a city-based franchise model. Eight new teams were established, representing major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit, and Houston, with some of these franchises being sold to independent ownership groups for the first time. For instance, the Los Angeles franchise was sold for $10 million in 2024. This move aimed to foster deeper local fan engagement and provide a more traditional sports league structure. The 2025 season saw Miami 305 crowned champions, with Michael Beasley earning back-to-back MVP honors.

The league's growth trajectory continued into 2026, marking its ninth season. A major development in June 2026 was the announcement of a definitive business combination agreement with Graf Global Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), to take the BIG3 public. This deal, valuing the league at $290 million pre-money, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, making the BIG3 the first publicly traded professional sports league in U.S. history. Ice Cube stated that going public would allow fans and investors to participate in the league's financial upside, addressing challenges in securing capital due to the NBA considering BIG3 a 'competing league' and thus restricting investment from NBA owners.

Media distribution has also expanded significantly. While CBS and Paramount+ continue to be primary broadcasters for live games, the 2026 season saw new partnerships with BET for primetime re-airs and Fubo Sports Network for live streaming and access to archived games. The league averaged approximately 560,000 viewers on CBS during the 2025 and 2026 seasons, demonstrating a consistent audience. Looking ahead, the BIG3 has ambitious expansion plans, including adding three more location-based ownership groups in 2026, with Toronto and the U.K. as potential new markets, and discussions for establishing leagues in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the UAE.

As of September 2026, the BIG3 League is in a robust state of expansion and innovation. Its transition to a city-based model, coupled with the groundbreaking move to go public, positions it for further growth and increased fan involvement. The league continues to attract notable players, with Derrick Favors and Jonathon Simmons joining teams for the 2026 season, and maintains a strong cultural presence, as evidenced by Ice Cube's recognition at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.