BIG3 Makes History And Announces Barclays Center As First Stop On Highly Anticipated Tour

BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIG3 announced at today's New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets game that the highly anticipated professional 3-on-3 basketball league's first game day will tip off at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25, 2017.  BIG3 has continued to gain momentum since first launching in January and has celebrated the steady acquisition of big name talent. Brooklyn will be the first stop in the 10 week season, that will bring exhilarating 3-on-3 basketball played by some of the game's most revered names to a different city each weekend this summer.

"Brooklyn has been on our radar since we started the BIG3.  From the pickup courts to the pros, New York's hoops history is unrivaled," said BIG3 Co-Founder Ice Cube.  "Legends are born here, and kicking this thing off at the iconic Barclays Center could not be more fitting."

The Brooklyn game will mark the New York return of basketball icons Charles Oakley, Kenyon Martin, Al Harrington who will be joined by basketball greats Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups, Jason Williams, Corey Maggette, Mike Bibby, Rashard Lewis, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, Bonzi Wells, Ricky Davis, Dermarr Johnson and coaches including: Clyde Drexler, Rick Barry, Gary Payton, Rick Mahorn, George Gervin and more to be announced.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 18 at 10:00 AM and can be purchased on ticketmaster.com, Barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Monday, March 20 at noon (if tickets are still available).

The BIG3 was founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz.  Roger Mason Jr. former Deputy Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association, serves as the league's President and Commissioner.  The league will bring 3-on-3 half-court basketball, one of the most popular formats of the game worldwide, to different arenas this summer.  With a player-focused structure and fan-centric experience, the BIG3 will feature fast-paced, highly-skilled, exciting and engaging play featuring legendary players and coaches.

"As a player, I always enjoyed playing on the biggest stages during my career, I wanted to bring that opportunity back to the most legendary names to ever play the game," said BIG3 President and Commissioner Roger Mason Jr. 

"Barclays Center epitomizes the sports-meets-entertainment culture of the BIG3," said Kwatinetz. "We're so thrilled to launch our league at a place that values the greats of the game as much as the BIG3."

"We are thrilled to host the first-ever BIG3 event at Barclays Center," said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. "We have created great moments in our venue by marrying sports and entertainment and this event will continue that tradition."

Games will be played every weekend starting June 25 in a different arena and city.  All four games will take place on the same day in the same venue, giving fans the chance to see all of their favorite NBA superstars at one time.

The league will hold a player combine and draft in April where captains will round out their rosters and draft their three remaining players.  Players enrolled in the draft player pool include: Brian Scalabrine, Latrell Sprewell, Earl Boykins, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Smush Parker, J.R. Rider, Rashad McCants, Larry Hughes, Kenny Anderson, Shane Heal, James White, Josh Childress, Reggie Evans, Ivan Johnson, Brian Cook, Jamario Moon, Ruben Patterson, Etan Thomas, Marcus Banks, Keith Bogans, Derrick Byars, Mike James, Voshon Lenard, Lee Nailon, Eddie Robinson, Xavier Silars, Ndubi Ebi, Pops Mensah - Bonsu, Lawrence Moten, Andre Owens, with more to be announced.

For more information and to sign up for news updates, visit www.BIG3.com and www.BarclaysCenter.com.

About BIG3
BIG3 (www.BIG3.com) is where basketball legends play. A touring basketball attraction that packs the energy and fanfare of an All-Star Weekend into one day, BIG3 is a 3-on-3, half-court basketball competition played in arenas around the world. BIG3 features eight teams comprising the greatest players to step on a court in an 10-week competition coming Summer 2017. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, BIG3 combines elite basketball with superstar entertainment and engaging fan interaction.

ABOUT BROOKLYN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) develops and operates state-of-the-art venues and manages premier sports franchises, delivering dynamic content and experiences for audiences. BSE oversees programming, marketing, sales, and operations for Barclays Center and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, and manages and controls the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and its Development League team, the Long Island Nets, as well as the business operations of the NHL's New York Islanders.

Barclays Center, which opened on September 28, 2012, offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by Tanduay.

The New Coliseum Presented By NYCB, scheduled to reopen April 5, 2017 after extensive renovation, will offer 13,000 seats for hockey, 13,500 for basketball, and 14,500 for standard concert configurations, with the ability to flex up. The bowl will have a theater seating option for 4,000 guests. With a focus on emerging businesses, BSE identifies and creates alliances, strategic partners and other business opportunities to ensure the success of its assets.

For additional information, please visit Brooklynse.com.

Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs | (212) 691-2800 | [email protected]

SOURCE BIG3

Related Links

http://www.big3.com