Everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19. Due to the rapid spread, several cities and states are urging social distance and banning all sports and social gatherings in excess of 50 people. The NCAA has cancelled all winter sports championships and spring sports. Almost all professional sports organizations have suspended activity and competition for the foreseeable future. Enter the BIG3. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the professional 3-on-3 league plans to launch a quarantined, reality show-styled 3-on-3 tournament in April.
The plan is to have 16-22 players, all having tested negative for the coronavirus, to be quarantined in a large league-provided home. The property will have a basketball court/facility on the premises and any player that breaks quarantine will eliminated and have to leave the premises.
League co-founders Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube have been in talks with several networks since late last week and they work out a broadcast deal.
“As long as we can protect the players, which we will do through proper testing and quarantine, Ice cube and I feel we can give fans some safe, entertaining brand of basketball to get everyone through this pandemic,” Kwatinetz told Yahoo Sports. “Cube and I have been in the entertainment business for 30 years. This is our job. People want to be entertained with all we’re going through and enjoy our sports. We think this will help.”
The tournament would include seven rounds, with players reshuffling after the first round. A player would be eliminated after accumulating three losses. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place individual winners. In true reality show fashion, the players’ daily lives will be filmed to add storylines and perhaps a little drama. Production crews will be housed away from players, but nearby. Will you be watching?
