Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3, is on track to become the first publicly traded professional sports league in the U.S. Founded in 2017 by Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Sr.) and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the league features former NBA stars and Hall of Famers competing in a city-based format. This shift from a touring model to city franchises took effect in the 2025 season, with teams in major cities like Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, and the DMV area. Some of these teams have reportedly been sold in deals valued at $10 million each.

BIG3 is now pursuing a public listing through a merger with Graf Global Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The merger values BIG3 at $290 million and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Upon completion, the league will operate under the name Big3 Basketball Holdings Inc. Leadership will include Ice Cube as CEO, Jeff Kwatinetz as chairman, Sean Bannon as president, and NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler as vice commissioner. This move allows fans and investors to own equity and actively participate in the league’s growth.

Ice Cube expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to take BIG3 to a broader audience and accelerate its global reach by going public. He highlighted how the league connects basketball with culture and community, positioning itself as a modern sports venture. James Graf, CEO of Graf Global Corp., praised Ice Cube and Kwatinetz for their vision and believed that offering public market access to professional sports ownership is a unique investment opportunity, potentially delivering uncorrelated returns driven by rising team valuations and sports media expansion.

The merger still requires approval from Graf Global’s shareholders, with a deadline set for June 27, 2026. If finalized, BIG3’s historic public listing would mark a significant moment in sports business by enabling fans and investors alike to directly benefit from the league’s success and growth. This milestone also underscores Ice Cube’s continued impact as a cultural and sports entrepreneur expanding into new markets with innovative business models.