36-430: 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
72-714: 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
108-471: 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
144-432: 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
180-464: 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
216-730: 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
252-659: A partner with the BIG3 League and would be the first streamer to have exclusive rights to livestream BIG3 basketball games. 3x3 (basketball) Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.150 via cp1114 cp1114, Varnish XID 954255240 Upstream caches: cp1114 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:42:36 GMT David Blitzer David Scott Blitzer (born September 7, 1969)
288-505: 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
324-502: 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
360-586: 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
396-579: 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
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#1732790556369432-782: 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,
468-688: 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
504-694: 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,
540-466: 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
576-524: 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
612-464: 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
648-462: 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
684-655: 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
720-472: 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
756-480: 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
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#1732790556369792-553: 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
828-470: 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
864-737: 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
900-499: 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,
936-509: 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
972-549: 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
1008-593: 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,
1044-452: 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
1080-425: 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
1116-595: 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
Big3 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-399: 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
1188-405: 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
1224-567: 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,
1260-589: 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
1296-477: 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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