What have you learned in Year 3 vs. Year 1?
Ice Cube: ‘‘Until you get over the hump, it’s just hard to introduce a new sport to America, to the world. We expected some bumps in the road. You can’t anticipate everything that comes at you. Things are hard until they’re not. It’s been 20 years since the last league was invented from scratch and has taken off, which was UFC. It really took them nine years to turn a profit. We plan to do it in less than half the time.’’ How do you battle being a league based on nostalgia and a league based on competitiveness?
IC: ‘‘I think there’s a world where both can exist. I think just the nature of who our coaches are, you know we have Hall of Fame coaches from Dr. J to George “The Iceman” Gervin to Rick Barry, Lisa Leslie and Nancy Lieberman. So that’s going to be there. It’s really up to us to make sure that we’re promoting high competition played at a high level. If we see players who can’t play at a high level, it’s really up to us to tell them that they probably need to watch.’’ Has that part been difficult? Cutting ties with some players who are also friends?
IC: ‘‘It’s a business, though. So in that sense, it’s not that hard. You feel for these guys and all of them can come back. All they have to do is show they’re ready to play at this level. Guys may have thought that it was going to be easy because it’s half-court but it’s actually a lot harder in ways. You have to be ready. We want your game, not just your name.’’
Does Dr. J ever get out there on the court?
IC: ‘‘Never. Strictly a coach. Those dudes have hung up their basketball shoes, but they have tons and tons of knowledge. Tons and tons of basketball IQ. They can teach guys about how to win, so I’m proud to have some of the gods of basketball as part of our league.’’ Let’s say I’m a retired NBA player. How would you sell me on playing for your league?
IC: ‘‘It would be more or less like, ‘What size uniform you wear because we got a uniform ready for you in the Big3. What you need? I know you like it, I know you love it, I know you ain’t got nothing better to do, come play.’ ’’ Is there anybody out there right now you’re honed in on? Have you had a conversation with Carmelo Anthony?
IC: ‘‘No conversations with Carmelo. I feel like guys like that are really trying to get back in the NBA. They’ll call me when they’re ready. It’s more or less the other way around. I think at this point the league speaks for itself. If they really want to play, they’ll call me. If I have to call them too much, they really don’t want to play.’’ Have you been in contact with Kobe Bryant? Are those rumors true?
IC: ‘‘Yeah, I’ve been in contact with Kobe, but not about playing in the Big3. He’s told me he’s not going to play, so I’m going to take him for his word until he shows me otherwise.’’ Michael Jordan, if you called him up to be part of the Big3, would it be to play or would it be to coach?
IC: ‘‘It would probably be as part owner, not as a coach or a player. Since he owns the Hornets, he can’t play. I think if he didn’t, he probably would try. He probably would play.’’ Nancy Lieberman was the first female coach of a men’s professional sports team. You also hired Lisa Leslie shortly after that, as well as the women in your front office. Why is inclusivity important to you guys? And is that what you set out to do from Day 1?
IC: ‘‘Always. With all the businesses that we have anything to do with, inclusiveness is part of it. Growing up black you understand what discrimination is. To be in a position of power and to discriminate is against my nature. I just want the best people for the job. Cuttino Mobley put it perfectly. He said, ‘If women can teach us how to speak and walk, they can teach us how to dribble and shoot.’ ’’
What’s your go-to spot for dinner in Chicago?
IC: ‘‘I like Gibsons.’’
Are you headed to Lollapalooza this weekend?
IC: ‘‘I’m a little busy this weekend. I got my head in basketball, so I’m gonna let other people deal with music.’’ You’re a businessman, music mogul, producer, actor, director. What hat are you most proud of wearing?
IC: ‘‘Father. That’s probably my most proud hat. I love the entertainment industry, getting into it first through music and then movies and now sports. Entertainer is a cool title.