Yesterday, according to Axios Sports, was the first time since the MLB strike in 1994 when there were no MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL games for at least seven consecutive days.
In 1994, we went 23 straight days without those sports before the NFL broke the streak on September 4.
While it seems almost certain we’ll break that record this year, there is one league that will be doing its best to cushion the blow by staging an event in April.
According to Yahoo Sports, Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league will hold a quarantined, reality show-style three-on-three tournament in April that will be broadcast on television and offer millions of dollars in prize money.
The BIG3 players in the tournament — about 16 to 22 — will all have tested negative for the coronavirus and been quarantined in Los Angeles in a large home provided by the league prior to the tourney. To ensure everyone is in playing shape, a basketball court and practice facility will be built on site.
If a player breaks quarantine at any point during the tournament, , he will be eliminated and removed from the premises, sources told Yahoo.
“As long as we can protect the players, which we will do through proper testing and quarantine, Ice cube and I feel we can give fans some safe, entertaining brand of basketball to get everyone through this pandemic,” BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz told Yahoo. “Cube and I have been in the entertainment business for 30 years. This is our job. People want to be entertained with all we’re going through and enjoy our sports. We think this will help.”
Whether the tournament happens or not, the BIG3’s 2020 season is still scheduled to kick off on June 20 in Memphis.
Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
