Nov 8, 2026 · 21 min
Ice Cube pitches fan ownership through BIG3’s public listing
Ice Cube Is Taking the BIG3 Public — And He Wants You to Own a Piece
The BIG3’s planned Nasdaq listing tests whether a sports league can turn fans from spectators into participants in its growth and ownership.
- 1The BIG3 plans to list on Nasdaq under TONT while presenting public ownership as an alternative to billionaire-controlled sports.
- 2Its growth model depends on media rights, sponsorships, youth basketball, international leagues, and individually owned franchises.
- 3Ice Cube envisions a global three-on-three ecosystem spanning 16 to 20 teams, a Big Cup, and potentially women’s competition.
Don't miss
Ice Cube imagines celebrating the BIG3’s Nasdaq debut with “Today Was a Good Day” while inviting fans into sports ownership.
The brief
Ice Cube argues that professional sports ownership should extend beyond billionaires, framing the BIG3’s planned Nasdaq listing as a way for everyday fans to participate.
The league began as a response to Ice Cube’s appetite for more basketball and now aims to build a recognizable global three-on-three brand with new capital.
The business case rests on a major media deal, sponsorships, youth programs, international leagues, and new competitions rather than ticket sales alone.
The BIG3 is shifting from league-owned teams to individually owned franchises; its first four teams sold for $10 million each, with expansion expected.
Ice Cube’s long-range vision includes 16 to 20 teams, a global Big Cup, longer seasons, and a potential women’s league across a flexible format.
The standout tension is whether a short-format league can convert social-media momentum and fan enthusiasm into durable media, franchise, and public-market value.
What was said on this episode
12 statements · 11 positive · 1 neutral
Big3 fans should be able to share in the league’s growth upside.
“Anybody who wants to be a part of the growth of this league, want to help the league grow, a fan of this league who now, if you're a fan, you're a day one fan, you should. be able to participate on the upside of the league as it grows.”
Listen at 0:16
Going public will enable Big3 to market and advance the league more aggressively.
“With this move to go public, we'll be able to push the league in a way that's never been done before and market the league.”
Listen at 4:07
Big3 plans to expand internationally, add teams, and lengthen its season.
“We have a global vision for the league. So it's not just America. We want more teams play more weeks on more of, you know, the sports landscape, have a bigger footprint.”
Listen at 5:04
Big3 needs to secure a major multiyear media deal.
“one of the the the things we have to land is a major media deal multi-year”
Listen at 6:10
Big3 aims to expand three-on-three basketball into youth sports worldwide.
“we want to move that into youth sports. You know, we need the youth playing three-on-three all over the world.”
Listen at 6:42
Big3 can create leagues across Australia, Asia, Europe, and South America.
“There's opportunities to create leagues all over the world, big three leagues in Australia, in Asia, in Europe, in South America.”
Listen at 7:56
Future Big3 franchises can sell for more than $10 million.
“the first four sold for $10 million apiece. And, you know, with this capital, you know, we can sell the next franchise, you know, for much more.”
Listen at 10:04
Big3 team sale prices will continue rising.
“the team sales will just continue to rise.”
Listen at 10:40
Big3 is expected to reach at least 16 to 20 teams by year 20.
“hopefully we're up to at least 16 to 20 teams.”
Listen at 11:15
Fans should be able to participate in Big3’s financial upside.
“you should be able to participate on the upside of the league as it grows.”
Listen at 14:13
Big3 is an established league needing additional investment to accelerate growth.
“It's something that we just have to put a little gas on the fire that we've already set.”
Listen at 15:15
Big3’s social-media metrics have increased 700-fold.
“our social media has exploded. When you see the numbers, sometimes it's hard to believe moving up 700 times.”
Listen at 18:52
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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