Ice Cub's BIG3 is the latest sports league is taking proactive measures to prevent against the COVID-19 coronavirus. The BIG3 released a statement Wednesday afternoon addressing its plan to move six weeks of games over the summer from various cities into a smaller venue in the Los Angeles area in an attempt to combat against the virus' spread.
The BIG3 released a statement announcing its decision: “Starting July 11 through August 15th, games will be played at an intimate, safe, controlled non-arena venue in Los Angeles each Saturday.”
As co-founder and co-CEO Ice Cube states, “Every year we faced a challenge and we came out on top with a better, more exciting league. This year will be no different!'” the statement added.
There was no specification on what the precise venue would be.
The league explained that its “unique structure does not afford it the luxury” the other major sports leagues “have to take a wait-and-see-approach and make adjustments closer to scheduled events,” because the BIG3 hops around to various venues.
Ice Cube's 3-on-3 hoops league is set to kick off its fourth season in Memphis on June 20. The league said the Memphis date, as well as games New York (June 27), and the playoffs in Portland (August 22), would continue as planned.
Sports leagues around the globe have begun assessing and deploying various strategies to combat the outbreak. Thursday's game between the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets at the Chase Center will take part without fans in attendance—as will the upcoming NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments.