A New Era for Pro Basketball
The league known as Big3, co‑founded by rapper and actor Ice Cube, is poised to make a historic move onto the public markets. With a projected valuation of $290 million, the league will become the first professionally run sports league in the United States to be publicly traded.
Central to the plan is a partnership with Graf Global Corp, a special‑purpose acquisition company that will facilitate the offering. Fans will be able to purchase shares under the ticker symbol TONT later in the year, giving them a direct stake in the league’s growth.
Going Public with a $290 Million Valuation
The valuation reflects the league’s ambition to expand beyond its current footprint and to cement its place in the competitive sports entertainment landscape. The announcement comes ahead of the ninth season, which will kick off in Los Angeles on June 20 with four games scheduled over the opening weekend.
Big3’s journey to this point has been marked by strategic milestones. In 2021 the league sold one of its teams for $10 million to investment firm DCB Sports, a transaction that demonstrated confidence in the brand’s potential and provided a financial foundation for future growth.
A Strategic Partnership
Graf Global Corp, led by CEO James Graf, will handle the mechanics of the public offering. Graf emphasized that the deal offers investors a rare opportunity to own equity in a professional sports league, blending traditional athletics with emerging market mechanisms.
Jeff Kwatinetz, co‑founder of Big3, echoed the sentiment, stating that all the pieces are finally aligning for the league to scale. His comments underscore a belief that the public listing will accelerate the league’s ability to invest in teams, venues and fan experiences.
Fans Get a Stake
Ice Cube has repeatedly highlighted the importance of grounding the league in the cities where it plays. By opening ownership to fans, the league hopes to deepen community ties and create a sense of shared investment in the sport’s future.
The upcoming season will feature a compact schedule of games, but the impact could be far‑reaching. If the public offering succeeds, it may set a precedent for other niche sports leagues seeking capital through traditional equity markets.