Former NBA player Nick Young is speaking out about his alleged experiences as a member of Ice Cube’s BIG3 league, VIBE reports.
As previously reported by AfroTech, the league officially became certified as the first professional Black-owned sports league.
The 3-on-3 league first debuted in 2017, thanks to Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. Over the years, it has incorporated technology to enhance the experience between both fans and their adored players.
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Playing In The BIG3
Now, one of those players is speaking out with some claims about the ins and outs of the league. Young alleges that he and other players missed out on payments.
He also suggested that the organization should return to its traveling roots to enhance the experience of those participating in the league.
“I think they need to get back to traveling to all different cities like they was,” he shared. “‘Cause this past year, it felt like things weren’t ran well ’cause sometimes we ain’t get our money. Things got canceled. Games got canceled in the middle of the season. They didn’t know if they was gonna have a season. It was a lot, it was a lot this year.”
Furthermore, he believes that with the right investments, BIG3 has the capability to function as a comparable league, specifically to the ones that players join overseas.
The Missing Link
“I feel like they need to get the right investments and really organize it better because this year in the middle of the season, the season was about to be over ’cause they didn’t have the money or something like that,” Young claims.
He also opened up about the vast contrast in the salaries players were offered in comparison to the aforementioned league, but also noted the best parts of being a part of the BIG3.
“Overseas money is more. Way more,” Young recalled. “For me, the BIG3 is just to get out the house, to hang with your friends and play the game a little bit. And it’s only on the weekends, [it’s] not too much strain on your body. You don’t have to go to China or Russia and deal with all that. You still get to be with your family during the week and then you leave on the weekend. That’s the fun part.”
