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62-430: Big3 (stylized BIG3 ) is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz . The league consists of 12 teams whose rosters include both former NBA players and international players. The rules of Big3 games contain deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA . In January 2020, Big3 announced its rule set would be

124-714: A $ 140 million stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). In 2023, he was a part of another group led by Harris that purchased the NFL's Washington Commanders for $ 6.05 billion, the highest price ever for a sports team. The same year, Blitzer invested in the return of SlamBall , a basketball league combining elements of other sports, and bought a minority stake in Joe Gibbs Racing by way of HBSE in 2023. He

186-471: A 'generational athlete' who would find 'tremendous success' in the league. On January 11, 2019, the Big3 announced that they would expand to 12 teams for the upcoming season, and move to two nights (consisting of three games each) per week. The league will also play in 18 cities, and allow players as young as 27 to compete in the league. On May 10, 2024, the Big3 announced that the 2024 Season (Season 7) will be

248-626: A debut in Olympic programme for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo , Japan , for both men and women. 3x3 basketball was included in 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England . After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , FIBA banned Russian teams and officials from participating in FIBA 3x3 Basketball competitions. David Blitzer David Scott Blitzer (born September 7, 1969)

310-432: A different city hosted four games in which all eight teams would compete. Teams faced each other at least once during the regular season, with a rematch of the week one games occurring in week eight. The four teams with the best record at the end of the regular season qualified for the semifinals. In 2019, the league expanded to 12 teams and visits two cities each week, playing three games in each city. The 2020 Big3 season

372-501: A digital community that acts as a repository for all FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events worldwide and offers all players an individual world ranking based on the points earned by players at FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events. Any event around the world can become FIBA-endorsed by using FIBA's freeware, EventMaker, to organise the event. All FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events are classified within an established competition hierarchy, thus forming an official competition network. The pinnacle of this competition network

434-464: A digital media partnership with the video sharing app Triller and FITE TV . This includes 30 hours of live game coverage to stream at no charge within the app (including exclusive coverage of an all-star game), and figures such as Ice Cube and players maintaining presences. For the 2022 season the league remained with broadcast partner CBS to air 28 hours of coverage in the US while DAZN , Vyre Network and

496-532: A full program to make 3x3 a standalone game with its own format and regular competitions. 3x3 debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2020 Summer Olympics . The 3x3 basketball variation has also been used in several tournaments like Spokane Hoopfest , and the Nike 3ON3 Tournament . FIBA releases from time-to-time a supplement to its official basketball rules specifically for 3x3. The rules state that regular FIBA rules apply to all situations not specifically addressed in

558-736: A given year's World Cups come from 30 countries, making it more difficult for individual nations to enter both genders into the World Cup. For example, the US women's team qualified for the 2018 World Cup while the men's team did not, even though the men were ranked higher than the women on the cutoff date. Participating in a FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 event can earn ranking points; according to a FIBA executive, " Andorra has heavy participation every weekend." The current concentration of ranking events in Europe makes it more difficult for non-European nations, especially

620-730: A parent company in March 2024 with capital from The Chernin Group . Blitzer is Jewish . He is married to Allison (née Ross) Blitzer; they have five children. His net worth was estimated by Forbes in November 2023 to be $ 2.2 billion. Blitzer's father-in-law, Stuart Ross, who once owned the North American rights to The Smurfs franchise, was convicted of extortion in 2010 and sentenced to five years of probation after trying to extort $ 11 million from Blitzer. Blitzer founded

682-655: A partner with the BIG3 League and would be the first streamer to have exclusive rights to livestream BIG3 basketball games. 3x3 (basketball) 3x3 has been a basketball format long played in streets and gyms across the world, albeit in a less formal way. Starting in the late 2000s, 3x3 game rules started to become standardized throughout the United States, most notably through the Gus Macker and Hoop It Up tournament series, which held large events across

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744-420: A point behind the arc. The defense is not allowed to play for the ball inside the block/charge semi-circle under the basket. In any held-ball situation, the defensive team is granted possession. The offensive team must attempt a shot for a goal within 12 seconds. An offensive player may also not dribble inside the arc with their back or side to the basket for more than 3 consecutive seconds. For either violation

806-423: A traveling league using rules slightly different from the FIBA rulebook, and also using a ball that meets the specifications for the men's full-court game instead of the FIBA 3x3 ball. The qualification system for the FIBA 3x3 World Cups for men and women differs radically from the system used for FIBA full-court competitions. According to The New York Times , 3x3 has "an unusual qualifying system designed to grow

868-416: Is 15 metres (49 ft) wide (the same as FIBA's standard for the full-court game) by 11 m (36 ft 1.07 in) in length (compared to FIBA's standard half-court distance of 14 metres [45 ft 11.18 in]); however, the rules specifically state that half of a standard FIBA full court is an acceptable playing area for official competitions. The American NBA & WNBA standard half-court distance

930-417: Is 15.24 m (50 ft) wide & 14.33 m (47 ft) long. The ball is the size of a size 6 basketball (720 mm, 28.5 in) as used in the women's full-court game and its mass is that of the size 7 standard (620 g, 22 oz) used in the men's full-court game. A coin toss is held immediately before the game, and the winning team of the coin flip can choose to take possession of

992-505: Is a member of College Sports Tomorrow, a group formed in 2024 consisting of 20 pro team owners, league executives, and college administrators proposing an overhaul to college football , including abolishing conferences and reorganizing Power Five schools in seven divisions of ten each with a system of promotion and relegation for the rest, in addition to changes to NIL deals and the transfer portal . Blitzer and Harris have also invested in youth sports brands, forming Unrivaled Sports as

1054-505: Is allowed one 30 second time-out per game. Each personal or technical foul counts as one team foul, while each unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul counts as two team fouls. Personal fouls during the act of shooting inside the arc are awarded one free throw, while fouls during the act of shooting behind the arc and the shot is unsuccessful are awarded two free throws. Team fouls 7, 8 and 9 are awarded two free throws, and all team fouls thereafter are awarded two free throws and possession of

1116-502: Is an American investor and sports team owner. He is the chairman of the private equity firm Blackstone and managing partner of the NHL's New Jersey Devils and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers . Blitzer also manages several association football clubs under Global Football Holdings, owns 25% of the MLB's Cleveland Guardians , and is a limited partner of the NFL's Washington Commanders , making him

1178-403: Is disqualified. A team loses the game by default if all of its players are disqualified. All technical fouls result in one free throw, with possession going to the team that was entitled to possession at that time. If a foul is committed that results in the non-fouling team retaining possession, i.e. a technical or "unsportsmanlike" foul, the non-fouling team will receive the exchange outside of

1240-586: Is estimated to be $ 2 billion. Blitzer was born on September 7, 1969, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey . He graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in 1987 and graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. Blitzer joined the private equity firm Blackstone shortly after graduation and worked out of London from 2001 to 2011 to oversee

1302-450: Is the FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which includes a series of World Tour Masters and one Final. A team can qualify for a World Tour Masters by playing in any of the designated World Tour qualifiers. The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced 3x3. Since 2016, the NBA has held a summer series of tournaments known as " Dew NBA 3X", where local amateur players from around

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1364-579: The NBA G League 's Delaware Blue Coats , the American Hockey League 's Utica Comets , esports team Dignitas of New Meta Entertainment, HBSE Real Estate, sports tech venture capital firm HBSE Ventures, and marketing, hospitality, and event ticketing company Elevate Sports Ventures. In January 2022, Blitzer and Qualtrics co-founder Ryan Smith purchased Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) and America First Field , which included

1426-782: The Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for $ 280 million. Other initial members of the group included Art Wrubel , Jason Levien , Adam Aron , Martin Geller , David Heller , James Lassiter , Marc Leder , Michael Rubin , Will Smith , Jada Pinkett Smith , and Erick Thohir . In August 2013, Blitzer and Harris purchased the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) and their arena,

1488-688: The Prudential Center , for $ 320 million. Blitzer and investor David Abrams headed a group that owned 50% of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders , the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees , from 2014 until selling to Diamond Baseball Holdings in 2021. Blitzer co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment with Harris in 2017. In addition to the 76ers and Devils, the company also owns

1550-694: The 2017 and 2018 seasons, players under 30 years old were not eligible to compete in the league. In 2019, the league changed the minimum age to 27 years, and in 2021, the minimum age was lowered again to 22. The Big3 began play in 2017 with eight teams: 3's Company , 3 Headed Monsters , Ball Hogs , Ghost Ballers , Killer 3's , Power , Trilogy , and Tri-State . In 2019, the league expanded to twelve teams, adding Bivouac, Enemies, Aliens , and Triplets . All Big3 teams are " barnstorming " teams and do not represent any cities or geographical regions. In 2017 and 2018, teams competed in an eight-game, eight-week regular season from late-June through mid-August. Each week,

1612-466: The 3 Headed Monsters 51–46 in the inaugural Big3 Championship game, completing a perfect (10–0) season. The league's Most Valuable Player award was won by 3 Headed Monsters forward Rashard Lewis ; Trilogy's undefeated season led to several awards for members of the team, including Defensive Player of the Year ( James White ) and Coach of the Year ( Rick Mahorn ). On March 15, 2018, Clyde Drexler became

1674-461: The Big 3 YouTube channel broadcast 29 hours in the US and all coverage internationally. For 2023, Big3 launched Big3tv to stream all its games on its own website internationally and all games not televised on CBS in the United States. For 2024, Big3 would stream non-CBS games on their official X account in the United States. On June 15, 2024, it was announced that Kick streamer LosPollosTV had become

1736-464: The Big3 announced that a group of investors, led by business executive Heath Freeman, had purchased the rights to the second-ever location-based Big3 franchise for $ 10 million with plans to base the team in Miami . The Miami-based Big3 team will also debut in 2025. On July 3, 2024, it was announced that the Big3 had sold rights to the third location-based Big3 team. Eric Mullins and Milton Carroll had made

1798-459: The FIBA 3x3 rules. The current set, both in an abbreviated version and longer format, was published in August 2019. The current rules depart from regular full-court basketball in the following ways. Each team consists of three players and one substitute. Each team must have three players on the court when the game begins. The game is played on a half-court with one basket. The official court

1860-615: The US compete in regional events for cash prizes and a finals berth. The men's and women's NBA 3X champions then advance to the USA Basketball national 3x3 championship to potentially represent their country internationally. These tournaments also include live music performances, 3-point shooting contests for fans, an NBA 2K eSports competition, and appearances from current NBA players. In 2017, entertainer Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz founded BIG3 , where former NBA and US college basketball stars compete in

1922-573: The US, to qualify. The aforementioned FIBA executive, when asked about the prospect of the 2020 Olympic debut of 3x3 potentially lacking any participation from the US, admitted that "a lot of teams want to beat the US. Beating the US teams is an achievement." After the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics , FIBA established a regular World Cup that always includes men and women competing simultaneously in open, U23 and U18 categories. World Cups are played every year, except in years when there are Youth Olympic Games or Olympic Games . The COVID-19 pandemic caused

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1984-462: The Year, while Power's Nancy Lieberman was awarded Coach of the Year. On January 15, 2020, Big3 made several major announcements, further lowering its age limit to 22, instituting open tryouts for league players, introducing some additional rule changes, and starting use of Fireball3 to describe its rule set. The competition would not be held in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . To ensure

2046-655: The affiliated Real Monarchs and Zions Bank Stadium . The pair also reestablished the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), which had gone defunct in 2020 and became the Kansas City Current . He purchased a 25 percent stake in the MLB's Cleveland Guardians in June 2022, with an option to acquire controlling interest in 2028. Blitzer is the first person to hold team equity in

2108-407: The arc of the net), and the defensive team must begin inside of the arc. Once the offensive team receives the ball, the clock starts. This exchange is also used to restart the game from any dead ball situation. The game is a single period of a maximum 10 minutes and the winner is the first team to score 21 or the team with the higher score at the end of the 10 minutes; scoring 21 points immediately ends

2170-491: The arc. Offensive fouls, if not technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying, never result in free throws, regardless of the number of team fouls. In the case of a double foul, no free throws are awarded to either team, regardless of team foul count or whether the double fouls were unsportsmanlike. FIBA sees 3x3 as a major vehicle for promotion of the game of basketball throughout the world. FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann explained: "The 3x3 concept has all

2232-415: The ball at the start of the game, or take the first possession of a potential overtime period. In turn, this means that if the game goes into overtime, the first possession goes to the team that started the game on defense. The game begins with the defensive team passing the ball to the offensive team to signify the start of the game. All offensive players must begin outside of the arc (the opposite side of

2294-418: The ball. The "bonus" rule specifically supersedes the normal rule for fouls in the act of shooting. The un-timed overtime period is considered extension of regulation for purpose of team fouls. The first unsportsmanlike foul against a player results in two free throws. A second unsportsmanlike foul, or a disqualifying foul, results in two free throws and possession. A player who commits two unsportsmanlike fouls

2356-519: The cancellation of the 2020 event. Classification to the World Cup is based on the 3x3 Federation Ranking, which ranks all National Federations based on the 3x3 Individual World Ranking points of their top 100 nationals in the respective category (i.e. men, women, U23 men, U23 women, U18 men, and U18 women). 3x3 basketball became a regular European Games contest since its introduction at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan . 3x3 basketball made

2418-472: The championship game. Award categories include Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, 4th Man, and Defensive Player of the Year, among others. For the 2017 season, Fox Sports 1 carried the eight weeks of the regular season and the playoffs on tape delay, while Fox broadcast the championship game live. Gus Johnson was the regular play-by-play announcer, though Brian Custer filled-in occasionally, Jim Jackson handled color commentary and Michael Rapaport

2480-480: The championship round was held in the Bahamas in early September. In 2022, the 2017-2019 format was used but did not feature a 3rd place game. The Trilogy took home the Big3's inaugural championship trophy in 2017. In 2018, the league's trophy was named in honor of basketball hall of fame inductee (and current Tri-state head coach) Julius Erving . The Power were awarded the trophy in 2018. The Triplets were awarded

2542-500: The company's interests in Europe. He is a member of their management committee and headed their global Tactical Opportunities group from 2012 until stepping down and becoming chairman in November 2024. Blitzer began contemplating investing in sports after meeting Apollo Global Management co-founder Josh Harris in 2008 at The Punchbowl , a pub in London. By 2011, those talks led to the pair forming an investment group that purchased

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2604-470: The conclusion of the 2018 regular season, the Power and 3 Headed Monsters were both tied for the league's best record (7–1); the Power would advance to the championship game, while the 3 Headed Monsters were ultimately eliminated by 3's Company in the semifinals. On August 24, 2018, the Power defeated 3's Company 51–43 to become the league's second champions. Power's Corey Maggette was awarded MVP and Captain of

2666-737: The core of a new basketball variant called "Fireball3" (stylized FIREBALL3 ). On January 11, 2017, Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz announced their new 3-on-3 basketball league at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel , in New York City. Roger Mason Jr. was the first President and Commissioner. The Big3 held its first draft on April 30, and the inaugural week of games took place June 25 at the Barclays Center , in Brooklyn , New York . On August 26, 2017, Trilogy defeated

2728-685: The country that included teams and players from all skill levels. In 1992, Adidas launched its now-discontinued streetball competition. Since then, the number of 3x3 events and competitions has been steadily growing around the world. FIBA made the decision to first test 3x3 at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games in Macau . Further test events were held in April 2008 in the Dominican Republic and October 2008 in Indonesia . The international debut

2790-412: The defensive team is granted possession. There is a Trent Tucker Rule in which with up to 0.2 seconds left in regulation or on the shot clock, a high lob, or tip-in must be made. A tie in regulation time leads to an untimed overtime period, after a one-minute intermission. Whichever team began the game as the defensive team, begins overtime as the offensive team. The first team to score two points wins

2852-454: The elements and skills required for basketball, it has inspired and will continue to inspire many great players in the future. At the same time, it is the easiest and one of the most-effective ways to bring youngsters to basketball, keep them and promote our game. Finally FIBA 3x3 can and will promote key educational and social values to the next generations." FIBA is pursuing a unique click-and-brick strategy to implement 3x3. FIBA has developed

2914-499: The final season operating under this existing model, and following this season, all teams will transition to representing home markets. On the same day, the Big3 announced their first purchase, $ 10 million, of rights for a team. This will also be the first team to represent a home market. The purchase is by a consortium of investors led by DCB Sports and a mix of professional athletes and celebrities. The Los Angeles -based Big3 team will debut in season eight (8) in 2025. On June 15, 2024,

2976-509: The first person to own team equity in the five major sports leagues of North America . Blitzer graduated from Penn's Wharton School and joined Blackstone in 1991, where he served as the firm's global head of tactical opportunities from 2012 until transitioning to chairman in 2024. He and Apollo Global Management co-founder Josh Harris are frequent partners, with the pair entering sports business in 2011 and establishing Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in 2017. Blitzer's net worth

3038-500: The five major sports leagues of North America : the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLS, and MLB. Blitzer purchased an 18% stake in the English football club Crystal Palace in 2015. He later formed Global Football Holdings, which has invested in G.D. Estoril Praia (Portugal), AD Alcorcón (Spain), S.K. Beveren (Belgium), FC Augsburg (Germany), ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), and Brøndby IF (Denmark). In 2020, Blitzer and Harris bought

3100-429: The game. Every successful shot inside the arc, including free throws, is awarded one point, while every successful shot outside of the arc ("downtown") is awarded two points. After a made goal or free throw (except for technical or unsportsmanlike fouls and team fouls 10 or more; see below ), play restarts with a player from the non-scoring team taking the ball directly under the basket and then dribbling or passing it to

3162-408: The game. Note: if a game is tied at 20 at the end of regulation, a team scoring their 21st point in overtime does not end the game. Substitutions can occur only in a dead-ball situation; a substitute can only enter from behind the end line opposite the basket, and the substitution becomes official once the player leaving the game has "tagged up" by making physical contact with the substitute. Each team

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3224-540: The league featured a two-week post-season in August which included a semifinals round and a championship game. Winners of the championship are awarded the Julius Erving Championship Trophy. In addition to the playoff tournament, both weeks featured games (including a consolation game ) consisting solely of teams which had been eliminated from championship contention; the results of these games determined those team's final rankings . In 2021,

3286-452: The league to 16 teams to create a 'Big Cup.' In September 2022, Ice Cube replaced Hannan as the new CEO, whereas league co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz was named president. Jaylen Brown played in the 2023 BIG3 All-Star game, the first active NBA player to play in the league. On March 27, 2024, Ice Cube offered Caitlin Clark a $ 5 million private contract to play in Big3, stating that she is

3348-425: The league would have a 2021 season, the league took a $ 1.6 million Paycheck Protection Program loan during the pandemic, returning $ 700,000. On February 8, 2021, Big3 announced Chris Hannan, a former senior executive with Fox Sports and Endeavor/IMG, would be assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer. On August 4, 2021, Ice Cube said that the league is one of his greatest accomplishments. He also wants to expand

3410-595: The purchase with plans to base the team in Houston , debuting in 2025. On July 8, 2024, the Big3 announced that GameAbove Sports, sports-focused business development and strategic investment entity, had purchased the rights to the fourth location-based Big3 franchise with plans to base the team in Detroit , debuting in 2025. The rules of Fireball3, the basketball variant played by Big3, differ from FIBA -sanctioned 3-on-3 (branded as 3x3) games. They are as follows: During

3472-399: The second Commissioner, replacing Roger Mason. On April 3, the Big3 and Adidas agreed on a three-year partnership in which Adidas would launch a full retail line of sneakers, clothing, and equipment to launch in 2019. In conjunction with Adidas , the Big3 launched Young3, a youth initiative for underprivileged young kids, that was held in each city with Boys & Girls Clubs of America . At

3534-433: The sport all year long as much as find the best teams for the World Cup." National team entries are based strictly on a country's official 3x3 ranking. The ranking system for national teams also considers individual player rankings. Even a national ranking that would ostensibly qualify a team for the World Cup is not sufficient to gain entry because FIBA currently mandates that the 20 men's and women's teams that participate in

3596-405: The trophy in 2019. The Trilogy were awarded their second & third trophy in 2021 & 2022. The Enemies were awarded the trophy in 2023 and Bivouac were awarded the trophy for the first time in 2024. Annually, players in the Big3 are given an opportunity to nominate and vote for fellow players and coaches in several awards categories. The results of the Big3's awards are announced shortly before

3658-687: Was at the 2009 Asian Youth Games : 19 teams competed in the boys' tournament and 16 teams competed in the girls' tournament. All games were held at Anglican High School in Tanah Merah, Singapore . 3x3 made its worldwide competitive debut at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore . The competition featured 20 teams in both boys' and girls' categories. The competition was held at the Youth Space. Since then, world championships in both open and U18 categories are held regularly. FIBA launched

3720-567: Was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2021, the first three weekends and the last two Saturdays of play was held in Las Vegas, with games also played in Dallas, Milwaukee and Chicago. In 2022, the regular season was held in Chicago and Dallas. In 2023, the regular season was held once a week in Chicago, Dallas, Brooklyn, Memphis, Miami, Boston, Charlotte and Detroit. In 2017-2019,

3782-589: Was named to the NHL's Executive Committee in October 2023, which is responsible for vetting new ownership applications, collective bargaining, and league expansion. Blitzer and professional golfer Tiger Woods are owners of the Jupiter Links Golf Club of the virtual golf league TGL , founded in 2023. In 2024, he sold his stake in the Steelers to Art Rooney II and Thomas Tull . Blitzer

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3844-477: Was the sideline reporter. In 2018, all games were broadcast live on Friday nights, with four weeks of games (including the semifinals and championship) on Fox, with the remaining weeks airing on FS1. For 2018, Custer was promoted to be the regular play-by-play announcer while Jackson and Rapaport returned. On April 4, 2019, Big3 announced a new broadcast deal with CBS Sports , under which coverage moved to CBS and CBS Sports Network . In June 2021, Big3 announced

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