Ice Cube has gotten rave reviews and major props for the success of his BIG3 3-on-3 pro basketball league. The leagues first ever championship game was played last week and Fox Sports just crafted Cube a nice new TV deal. But like the legendary hip-hop hustlers Wu Tang Clan once said, After the laughter I guess comes tears, because on Friday the entertainment mogul was slapped with a $250 million lawsuit for allegedly stealing hoop stars, ideas and inspiration from another basketball league that features retired NBA players.
Carl George, the founder of the Champion Basketball League, says Cube, whose government name is OShea Jackson, and Cubes BIG3 business partner, Jeff Kwatinetz, got close to CBL brass after it launched in 2014 with the sole intent of stealing CBL’s concept, according to paperwork filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. This sounds more like a music business, copyright strong arm than a pro sports dispute. Cube is a three-headed monster when it comes to maneuvering in the world of sports, music and entertainment so he’s got all of his bases covered.
NBA World on Twitter
Steady Mobbin’: Ice Cube Faces $250 Mil Lawsuit For Big 3 Basketball League https://t.co/3yL54dn5av
Its going to be hard to prove, but George alleges that the former NWA star started his own 3-on-3 venture, called BIG3, and stole CBL players. The two leagues originally teamed up as partners with the goal of creating a mutually-beneficial business startup. Their goal was to have this league compete with the NBA according to Georges lawsuit.
“When certain players expressed their desire to participate in the CBL games, Mr. Cube confronted the players personally about playing in the CBL and threatened the players that they would be fined, not allowed to participate in the 52% of revenues bonus pool, or replaced on their teams,papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court claim. These threats were also shared with the CBL. The BIG3 was aware that it signed at least 20 players who also signed contracts with the CBL.”
Its not far-fetched that someones idea could get stolen. Many of the greatest ideas of all-time — especially in entertainment — were jacked, borrowed or stolen from another person. Most of the time the person who steals the idea is more high profile and therefore more capable of actually executing the idea and making it successful.
Ice Cube might end up having to cut George a check, but thats big business in America right?
