Due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus and resulting restrictions, the BIG 3 has canceled its 2020 season the league announced on Monday. The fourth season of Ice Cube's three-on-three basketball league was slated to start on June 20 in Memphis. Instead, the league will shift its focus to the 2021 season. The fact that fans likely wouldn't be able to attend games this season factored heavily into the league's decision.
From the BIG3:
In the midst of the COVID-19 world pandemic and its uncontrollable nature, the BIG3 announced today season four will return in Summer 2021. The BIG3 always wants to deliver the best for our fans under safe conditions. Due to a confluence of issues including safety, uncertainty of testing, changing government regulations, insurance and liability issues, sponsor and advertiser challenges of their own, and the changing nature of the virus itself, the decision was made to focus on a great return in 2021.
Ultimately, we need the fan experience and the games themselves to be great. While other leagues have more immediate financial considerations, as a rising league, we need to put the fan experience above all and ensure each season is better than the one before. While we investigated many alternative scenarios, such as playing at a single location like a Los Angeles studio sound stage, the extension of the California stay at home order, California's constant confusion and changing of the rules when combined with the multiple other issues listed above led to us to determining these scenarios were not feasible.
"We tried everything in our power to give our fans a nice 2020 season but with a long list of obstacles, we decided to shift our focus to having a great 2021 season with our fans in the stands," Ice Cube said in a statement. "Our goal from day one has always been to provide a remarkable experience full of top-level competition and entertainment. With the creation of BIG3: Not in My House and more time to prepare for the season, we will definitely come back with the fire."
When games do ultimately resume for the 2021 season, CBS Sports will continue to be the BIG3's television partner. Games will air on CBS, followed by encore presentations on CBS Sports Network.
