*Big3 is preparing for a major business move as the 3-on-3 basketball league works toward becoming a publicly traded company.
Big3 signed a deal with Graf Global Corp. to make shares in the league available to investors. The transaction values Big3 at approximately $290 million, and could lead to a public listing later this year, ESPN reports.
If the plan moves forward, Big3 expects to begin trading on a major stock exchange during the fourth quarter of 2026. The company plans to use the ticker symbol TONT, a reference to the league’s signature 3-on-3 format.
For co-founder Ice Cube, the move represents an opportunity to strengthen the league’s connection with its supporters. Unlike many major sports organizations, Big3 wants fans to participate in its financial growth rather than simply watch from the sidelines.
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“You can’t participate in the upside of the team besides winning,” Ice Cube told Bloomberg. “And we need the fans for the league to be successful, so it’s a match made in heaven,” he added.
The announcement comes as Big3 prepares to begin its ninth season. Ice Cube and businessman Jeff Kwatinetz founded the 3-on-3 professional basketball league in 2017. Today, it features 12 teams filled with former NBA players and international talent. Its distinctive rules and offseason schedule have helped Big3 carve out a place in the basketball landscape.
“We are excited for BIG3 to be the first publicly traded professional sports league in the US,” said Cube in a statement, per Billboard.
“Leading a new generation of emerging sports, BIG3 connects basketball to culture, fans and our team communities. Going public is our next step,” he added. “This lifts us to a bigger stage, accelerates our international potential and gives our fans a way to grow with us, support us and participate in our success.”
Watch Ice Cube’s Bloomberg interview below.
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