The BIG3 basketball league was established in 2017 and, as it enters its third season, has gained popularity steadily, know the 2022 salary structure, average salaries and net worth
Since many newly formed sports leagues fail to experience growth after their founding, it has become abundantly clear that the league, which was formed by rap star Ice Cube, does something right. But the BIG3 has gone about things a little differently, in part because the players are highly compensated for playing in the league.
BIG3 Basketball League Players Salaries, 2022 Salary, Contracts, Telecast Rights, Net Worth
The salary structure of The BIG3, which is mostly composed of former NBA or foreign professional players, offers a little bit of a sliding scale. The net worth of Ice Cube who owns the league, stands at $160 million.
However, even the guaranteed income from the 2018 season was notable. Last season, participants in the league received $10,000 each game, as Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation reported. If that amount stays the same, it comes out to $90,000 over the course of nine weeks in 2019.
It’s also important to note that the aforementioned figure excludes playoff games and any other bonuses. There are bonuses, but no details have been made public regarding the cash that players will receive if their teams go to the postseason. Additionally, there are other opportunities for participants to gain money throughout the year besides their weekly salary.
BIG3 Salaries: Contracts & Revenue Share
The estimate for weekly game checks of approximately $100,000 or more, including the playoffs, was the same as the figure disclosed by Def Pen’s Esfandiar Baraheni near the conclusion of the 2018 BIG3 season. They emphasised the increased financial stability this league provides to ex NBA players while still enabling them to play the sport they adore.
Baraheni notes that in addition to their pay, the players also get bonuses based on how well the team performs. Going one step further, it’s been stated that Ice Cube and the BIG3 have taken care of their players by giving them a share of the money the league generates.
According to Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation, players receive a portion of more than half of the league’s earnings in addition to their weekly wage, which is paid out after each game. It’s important to keep in mind that all of these numbers were obtained before to the 2019 season, so it’s possible that the compensation structure and revenue sharing have altered or been slightly adjusted.
The attraction for all parties to continue building the brand and boosting interest throughout the year is increased by the players having a share of league revenue.
BIG3 collaborates with CBS following year two growth
It’s challenging for new sports leagues to get started, but it’s even more challenging for them to expand after the first year. The interest will probably be there straight away when a new league, especially one with ex-professional players, comes together. The BIG3 have been particularly noteworthy for their progress from year one to year two, though.
The league’s 2017 debut season saw an attendance average of 10,756, according to Maury Brown of Forbes.com. This figure increased by 25% to 13,484 (announced in August 2018), and the piece also mentions that the BIG3 attracted more than 16,300 spectators in the first few weeks of the 2018 season.
The BIG3 have undoubtedly benefited from the rising television interest, and as a result, the league declared CBS and the CBS Sports Network as its official broadcast partner for 2019. In response to the decision, Ice Cube issued a statement, as CBS Sports’ Kevin Skiver reported.
BIG3 has always been about feisty, hard-nosed competition. With more clubs, younger players, and a brand-new TV partnership with CBS Sports, we’re now ratcheting it up,” Ice Cube said in a statement on Thursday. “In our first two years, we focused on establishing the validity of our vision. This year, the goal is to up the ante on the competition. This is significant.
The league has struck a three-year contract with Adidas in addition to the new broadcasting agreement that will allow CBS networks to broadcast BIG3 games. This agreement covers the BIG3 clothing, equipment, and footwear lines.