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The NBA’s squarely within the sights of the US Division of Justice over accusations The Affiliation labored to torpedo Ice Cube‘s Big3 basketball league … allegations the NBA denies.
TMZ Sports activities has discovered the DOJ launched the inquiry months in the past, analyzing alleged anticompetitive habits on the a part of the NBA, aimed toward squashing the Big3‘s development.
These allegations, we’re informed, vary from the NBA purportedly throwing its weight round to stop sponsors and others potential companions from doing enterprise with the rap legend’s league … to discouraging tv networks from carrying Big3 games.
Dice and enterprise accomplice Jeff Kwatinetz launched the 3-on-3 league, made up nearly solely of retired NBA gamers, in 2017.
Some present gamers have expressed a need to play in Dice’s league within the offseason, however we’re informed, because the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so, placing arbitrary guidelines in place to cease gamers from hooping in Ice’s league.
FYI, the NBA and Big3 seasons don’t overlap.
In fact, it is a common prevalence for NBA gamers, together with a few of the largest stars on the earth like LeBron James, to hoop in non-NBA video games after the season ends … comparable to L.A.’s famed Drew League.
Big3 officers, in keeping with sources conversant in the investigation, imagine they have been unfairly focused by the NBA.
We have additionally been informed NBA house owners have been discouraged from investing within the Big3 whereas concurrently proudly owning a franchise.
Referees have not been immune, both, in keeping with a supply … who says they have been informed they can’t officiate for the Big3, regardless of some working for different organizations outdoors of the NBA.
A supply conversant in the Dept. of Justice investigation tells us Dice and Kwatinetz met with DOJ attorneys throughout the first half of the 12 months. We’re additionally informed investigators have begun reaching out to NBA house owners as a part of their investigation.
If the federal government in the end finds the league dedicated antitrust violations, the NBA may face a big effective.
We reached out to the league for remark … and NBA spokesman Mike Bass, addressing the allegations of sponsorship and TV community interference, pressuring potential Big3 companions, and others, informed us, “These claims aren’t true.”
Bass additionally added … “We’ve got been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, however we declined to take a position.”
We reached out to the U.S. Division of Justice and the Big3 … who each declined remark.
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