The Big3, the 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by rap and movie star Ice Cube in 2017, will have an L.A. team next season.
The league announced Friday that it has sold the rights to a team based in Los Angeles to a group of investors led by Dcb Sports for $10 million.
The league’s anticipates announcing three more ownership groups before the 2024 Big3 season, which begins June 15 in Oakland. Toronto and the U.K. are leading contenders.
“We can plant our roots in these cities,” Ice Cube said. “It is great to come through with, like, a rolling All-Star event. But if you want to really unlock the fan-base potential, connecting to cities does that.”
Games are broadcast on CBS, and half of non-cbs games domestically will be streamed on X.
Big 3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said the plan always was to have teams attach to cities instead of being run centrally by the league.
The league announced Friday that it has sold the rights to a team based in Los Angeles to a group of investors led by Dcb Sports for $10 million.
The league’s anticipates announcing three more ownership groups before the 2024 Big3 season, which begins June 15 in Oakland. Toronto and the U.K. are leading contenders.
“We can plant our roots in these cities,” Ice Cube said. “It is great to come through with, like, a rolling All-Star event. But if you want to really unlock the fan-base potential, connecting to cities does that.”
Games are broadcast on CBS, and half of non-cbs games domestically will be streamed on X.
Big 3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said the plan always was to have teams attach to cities instead of being run centrally by the league.
- 5/11/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Caitlin Clark has already broken barriers in college basketball, and now she’s broken one in pro sports, even before leaving the NCAA.
Ice Cube’s professional Big3 league has offered the Iowa Hawkeyes’ point guard $5 million to play in the 3-on-3 half-court basketball competition. She would be the first woman to compete in the league stacked with former NBA players.
After TMZ initially reported the news, Cube confirmed it on Twitter, writing, “BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.”
The deal would reportedly allow Clark to still play in the WNBA after the 10-week Big3 season is over.
In January 2017, Ice Cube, along with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, announced the launch of the Big3, promising that it would feature some of the best players to ever play the game. Cube and...
Ice Cube’s professional Big3 league has offered the Iowa Hawkeyes’ point guard $5 million to play in the 3-on-3 half-court basketball competition. She would be the first woman to compete in the league stacked with former NBA players.
After TMZ initially reported the news, Cube confirmed it on Twitter, writing, “BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.”
The deal would reportedly allow Clark to still play in the WNBA after the 10-week Big3 season is over.
In January 2017, Ice Cube, along with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, announced the launch of the Big3, promising that it would feature some of the best players to ever play the game. Cube and...
- 3/27/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The ever-controversial Ice Cube took to Twitter today to promise he’ll shake things up in an upcoming podcast tour that promises to burn a few bridges.
Ice Cube (real name O’Shea Jackson) says he is not part of the elite Hollywood “club,” and claimed that he faces additional burdens imposed by unnamed “gatekeepers.” Because of that status, he claimed that his Big3 Basketball league, which he cofounded with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, is not being given the attention it deserves.
He seemed to put the blame for that on his “Contract with Black America,” which he introduced as a conversation starter on questions of racial concerns, including reparations.
“Some of you may not have realized that I’m not part of the club,” he said. “And a lot of you listening to me right here and right now, you are not part of the club either. And what I realized with the club is,...
Ice Cube (real name O’Shea Jackson) says he is not part of the elite Hollywood “club,” and claimed that he faces additional burdens imposed by unnamed “gatekeepers.” Because of that status, he claimed that his Big3 Basketball league, which he cofounded with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, is not being given the attention it deserves.
He seemed to put the blame for that on his “Contract with Black America,” which he introduced as a conversation starter on questions of racial concerns, including reparations.
“Some of you may not have realized that I’m not part of the club,” he said. “And a lot of you listening to me right here and right now, you are not part of the club either. And what I realized with the club is,...
- 6/25/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ice Cube is teaming with Jesse Collins Entertainment on a sports docuseries revolving around his successful Big3 sports league. Ice Cube will star in and produce via his Cube Vision with Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The as-yet untitled series will take an unprecedented look at the making of one of the fastest growing new leagues in the United States, the Big3, as Ice Cube defies the NBA on its quest to become one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.
Described as Welcome to Wrexham and Cheer meets basketball, the series will be dual-narrative following Cube and the challenges of building a new basketball league from the ground up, as well as the journey of one of the Big3 teams, as they navigate the ups and downs of a grueling season in pursuit of a national championship. Big3’s widely covered $1.2 billion lawsuit against Qatari investors will also be covered in the series.
The as-yet untitled series will take an unprecedented look at the making of one of the fastest growing new leagues in the United States, the Big3, as Ice Cube defies the NBA on its quest to become one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.
Described as Welcome to Wrexham and Cheer meets basketball, the series will be dual-narrative following Cube and the challenges of building a new basketball league from the ground up, as well as the journey of one of the Big3 teams, as they navigate the ups and downs of a grueling season in pursuit of a national championship. Big3’s widely covered $1.2 billion lawsuit against Qatari investors will also be covered in the series.
- 4/26/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Days after Cross Creek Pictures acquired a spec script about the life and career of conservative news mogul Matt Drudge, another Drudge biopic appears to be in the works.
Jeff Kwatinetz’s Prospect Park has acquired the rights to “The Drudge Revolution” from author and journalist Matthew Lysiak and intends to develop it into a feature film, according to CNN. Lysiak also wrote the script for the film based on his book about the Drudge Report founder.
Ben Hurwitz is overseeing the project.
Also Read:
Seth Meyers Rips Rudy Giuliani for Being Drunk on Election Night: ‘Wish I Could’ve Seen the Rest of That Deposition’ (Video)
The book “The Drudge Revolution” from 2020 has the full subtitle: “The Untold Story of How Talk Radio, Fox News, and a Gift Shop Clerk with an Internet Connection Took Down the Mainstream Media.” It includes interviews with Drudge’s friends and former Drudge Report editor Joseph Curl,...
Jeff Kwatinetz’s Prospect Park has acquired the rights to “The Drudge Revolution” from author and journalist Matthew Lysiak and intends to develop it into a feature film, according to CNN. Lysiak also wrote the script for the film based on his book about the Drudge Report founder.
Ben Hurwitz is overseeing the project.
Also Read:
Seth Meyers Rips Rudy Giuliani for Being Drunk on Election Night: ‘Wish I Could’ve Seen the Rest of That Deposition’ (Video)
The book “The Drudge Revolution” from 2020 has the full subtitle: “The Untold Story of How Talk Radio, Fox News, and a Gift Shop Clerk with an Internet Connection Took Down the Mainstream Media.” It includes interviews with Drudge’s friends and former Drudge Report editor Joseph Curl,...
- 6/14/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Rapper and actor Ice Cube’s Cube Vision has signed a multi-picture production deal with Back on the Strip firm Luminosity Entertainment, in association with 5120 Entertainment and SmokeyScreen.
The pair will co-produce feature films and TV series and the first is comedy Cube in My Head.
This follows a hapless white guy, who begins to hear the voice of Ice Cube in his head after an accident and starts to turn his life around. It’s being packaged now, with production scheduled for later this year.
Ben Hurwitz will be overseeing the project for Cube Vision.
Jeff Kwatinetz and Matt Johnson negotiated the deal on behalf of Cube Vision and Elie Samaha and Geno Taylor did the same for Luminosity.
“Excited to be working with Elie and his team to make some great movies, especially this one. Who couldn’t use me in their head?” said Cube.
“It is a...
The pair will co-produce feature films and TV series and the first is comedy Cube in My Head.
This follows a hapless white guy, who begins to hear the voice of Ice Cube in his head after an accident and starts to turn his life around. It’s being packaged now, with production scheduled for later this year.
Ben Hurwitz will be overseeing the project for Cube Vision.
Jeff Kwatinetz and Matt Johnson negotiated the deal on behalf of Cube Vision and Elie Samaha and Geno Taylor did the same for Luminosity.
“Excited to be working with Elie and his team to make some great movies, especially this one. Who couldn’t use me in their head?” said Cube.
“It is a...
- 5/12/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Azealia Banks’ scathing breach of contract lawsuit against ex-manager Jeff Kwatinetz survived mostly intact after a court challenge Thursday, but a judge stripped out two paragraphs accusing the music manager of “racism.”
At a hearing in downtown L.A., Judge Yolanda Orozco said the paragraphs – which refer to recanted allegations from ex-nba star Roger Mason Jr. that Kwatinetz used racial slurs to describe players and investors in the BIG3 Basketball league he co-founded with Ice Cube – “have nothing to do with the case.”
“I’m not at all convinced that...
At a hearing in downtown L.A., Judge Yolanda Orozco said the paragraphs – which refer to recanted allegations from ex-nba star Roger Mason Jr. that Kwatinetz used racial slurs to describe players and investors in the BIG3 Basketball league he co-founded with Ice Cube – “have nothing to do with the case.”
“I’m not at all convinced that...
- 3/4/2022
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
More than a year after she was first sued for stalking and defamation by her ex-manager, Azealia Banks has responded with a cross-complaint accusing the Prospect Park label boss of posing as a “romantic suitor” to “steal” from her.
In new paperwork obtained by Rolling Stone, Banks says Jeff Kwatinetz was 49 years old and single when he presided over an “egregious” dealmaking process in 2014 that gave his company a 15-year license to her album Broke with Expensive Taste – an album she already owned that had been produced and paid for by another record company,...
In new paperwork obtained by Rolling Stone, Banks says Jeff Kwatinetz was 49 years old and single when he presided over an “egregious” dealmaking process in 2014 that gave his company a 15-year license to her album Broke with Expensive Taste – an album she already owned that had been produced and paid for by another record company,...
- 12/10/2021
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: NBA forward Patrick Patterson has partnered with producer Joel Reilly to launch Undisputed Pictures, a new production company with operations in both the U.S. and Canada, which will develop, finance and produce a slate of film, TV, media and entertainment projects, teaming up with Oscar nominated producer David Permut on its new feature, Dock.
The film will tell the story of Major League Baseball pitcher Dock Ellis, an outspoken player for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1970s, who led the team to a World Series championship in ’71. Ellis was a fierce advocate for Black players’ rights who famously claimed to have pitched a no-hitter while on LSD. Pic will examine issues of mental health and drug addiction, as it follows Dock’s journey to overcome his demons.
Joey Poach (The Polka King) penned the script for the sports drama, which is currently in development. Patterson,...
The film will tell the story of Major League Baseball pitcher Dock Ellis, an outspoken player for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1970s, who led the team to a World Series championship in ’71. Ellis was a fierce advocate for Black players’ rights who famously claimed to have pitched a no-hitter while on LSD. Pic will examine issues of mental health and drug addiction, as it follows Dock’s journey to overcome his demons.
Joey Poach (The Polka King) penned the script for the sports drama, which is currently in development. Patterson,...
- 10/19/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jack Black is in talks to star with Ice Cube in Sony Pictures’ comedy Oh Hell No, to be directed by cutting-edge comedy director Kitao Sakurai. Matt Tolmach is producing through Matt Tolmach Productions with Black and Roz Music.
Story follows Sherman (Black), who falls in love with Will (Cube) mom, who has only one thing to say about that, “Oh hell no.”. Scot Armstrong, Tracy Oliver, Jessica Gao and Rodney Rothman wrote the script. Brittany Morrissey is overseeing for the studio. Film bows July 1, 2022.
Well known in the comedy world for directing and executive producing The Eric Andre Show for Adult Swim, Sakurai most recently directed and co-wrote Netflix’s No. 1 comedy movie Bad Trip, starring Eric Andre and Tiffany Haddish. He also recently directed episodes of Season 2 of Dave and Bj Novak’s untitled upcoming series on FX.
Cube starred in the box office hit Ride Along and its sequel,...
Story follows Sherman (Black), who falls in love with Will (Cube) mom, who has only one thing to say about that, “Oh hell no.”. Scot Armstrong, Tracy Oliver, Jessica Gao and Rodney Rothman wrote the script. Brittany Morrissey is overseeing for the studio. Film bows July 1, 2022.
Well known in the comedy world for directing and executive producing The Eric Andre Show for Adult Swim, Sakurai most recently directed and co-wrote Netflix’s No. 1 comedy movie Bad Trip, starring Eric Andre and Tiffany Haddish. He also recently directed episodes of Season 2 of Dave and Bj Novak’s untitled upcoming series on FX.
Cube starred in the box office hit Ride Along and its sequel,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The Robinhood stock trading app failed to heed Ice Cube’s well-known warning: “You better check yo self before you wreck yo self.”
The company has had its fair share of controversies, and now it’s being sued by the rapper for using his likeness and misquoting his lyrics in an ad. The complaint, which was filed Wednesday in California federal court, references hundreds of lawsuits (one of them is from Ice Cube’s business partner Jeff Kwatinetz) and multiple government investigations — including an inquiry into the suicide death of a 20-year-old Robinhood user.
“Human lives ...
The company has had its fair share of controversies, and now it’s being sued by the rapper for using his likeness and misquoting his lyrics in an ad. The complaint, which was filed Wednesday in California federal court, references hundreds of lawsuits (one of them is from Ice Cube’s business partner Jeff Kwatinetz) and multiple government investigations — including an inquiry into the suicide death of a 20-year-old Robinhood user.
“Human lives ...
When a senior adviser to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign thanked Ice Cube for working with the White House on a plan for Black America, it immediately triggered questions of who Ice Cube was supporting in 2020.
Ice Cube explained shortly afterward on Twitter that he was contacted by both parties about his Contract with Black America, which includes an array of policy proposals, including judicial reform, lending reform and FCC licensing.
“Both parties contacted me,” he wrote. “Dems said we’ll address the Cwba after the election. Trump campaign made some adjustments to their plan after talking to us about the Cwba.”
Responding to criticism that he was now “working for the Darkside,” Ice Cube wrote, “Every side is the Darkside for us here in America. They’re all the same until something changes for us. They all lie and they all cheat but we can’t afford not to...
Ice Cube explained shortly afterward on Twitter that he was contacted by both parties about his Contract with Black America, which includes an array of policy proposals, including judicial reform, lending reform and FCC licensing.
“Both parties contacted me,” he wrote. “Dems said we’ll address the Cwba after the election. Trump campaign made some adjustments to their plan after talking to us about the Cwba.”
Responding to criticism that he was now “working for the Darkside,” Ice Cube wrote, “Every side is the Darkside for us here in America. They’re all the same until something changes for us. They all lie and they all cheat but we can’t afford not to...
- 10/15/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has debuted a new trailer for the upcoming horror ‘Books of Blood.
Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology book series, the film follows a journey into uncharted territory through three tales tangled in space and time.
Brannon Braga directed the film and served as an executive producer along with Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, Adam Simon and Barker himself. Jason Clark and Joe Micucci produced the film, which was co-executive produced by Mark Miller.
The film stars Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, Yul Vazquez and Freda Foh Shen.
Also in trailers – Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci star in emotional trailer for ‘Supernova’
The film hits Hulu October 7th
The post Blood curdling trailer lands for ‘Books of Blood’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology book series, the film follows a journey into uncharted territory through three tales tangled in space and time.
Brannon Braga directed the film and served as an executive producer along with Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, Adam Simon and Barker himself. Jason Clark and Joe Micucci produced the film, which was co-executive produced by Mark Miller.
The film stars Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, Yul Vazquez and Freda Foh Shen.
Also in trailers – Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci star in emotional trailer for ‘Supernova’
The film hits Hulu October 7th
The post Blood curdling trailer lands for ‘Books of Blood’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 9/23/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Books of Blood trailer is out now.
Hulu unveiled the first official trailer for Brannon Braga’s upcoming horror flick, Books of Blood, just in time for Halloween.
Based on Clive Barker's acclaimed and influential horror anthology book series, Books of Blood aims to take audiences on a journey into uncharted territory through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time.
Consisting of six books published between 1984-85, Books of Blood merges the supernatural with the occasional fantasy element mixed in, in the process building the psychological horror.
The anthology received rave reviews from critics and readers alike, with legend Stephen King calling Barker the “future of horror.”
The film was initially in talks to be depicted as a series for Hulu, but was later shifted to the movie concept.
Brannon Braga directed the film and served as an executive producer along with Seth MacFarlane, Alana Kleiman, Erica Huggins,...
Hulu unveiled the first official trailer for Brannon Braga’s upcoming horror flick, Books of Blood, just in time for Halloween.
Based on Clive Barker's acclaimed and influential horror anthology book series, Books of Blood aims to take audiences on a journey into uncharted territory through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time.
Consisting of six books published between 1984-85, Books of Blood merges the supernatural with the occasional fantasy element mixed in, in the process building the psychological horror.
The anthology received rave reviews from critics and readers alike, with legend Stephen King calling Barker the “future of horror.”
The film was initially in talks to be depicted as a series for Hulu, but was later shifted to the movie concept.
Brannon Braga directed the film and served as an executive producer along with Seth MacFarlane, Alana Kleiman, Erica Huggins,...
- 9/23/2020
- by Omkar Padte
- GlamSham
One of the most important and haunting collections of horror writing released in our time, Clive Barker's Books of Blood (comprising six volumes in total) are the inspiration for a new movie coming to Hulu this fall, and following the film's teaser trailer earlier this month, the full-length trailer has now been unveiled, giving us a deeper look into the nightmares from the mind of the Great Imaginer.
Below, you can watch the official, Nsfw trailer for Books of Blood, which exclusively premiered on Entertainment Weekly.
Directed by Brannon Braga, with Barker and Seth MacFarlane among its executive producers, Books of Blood will be released on Hulu on October 7th, and it will also screen as the opening night drive-in film at Screamfest on October 6th:
"Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology Books Of Blood, this feature takes audiences on a journey into uncharted and forbidden...
Below, you can watch the official, Nsfw trailer for Books of Blood, which exclusively premiered on Entertainment Weekly.
Directed by Brannon Braga, with Barker and Seth MacFarlane among its executive producers, Books of Blood will be released on Hulu on October 7th, and it will also screen as the opening night drive-in film at Screamfest on October 6th:
"Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology Books Of Blood, this feature takes audiences on a journey into uncharted and forbidden...
- 9/22/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The Screamfest Horror Film Festival has unveiled the lineup of films that will be featured at the 20th annual drive-in edition. Kicking off the fest, which runs from October 6-15, is Books of Blood, the Hulu original film based on Clive Barker’s horror anthology.
From director Brannon Braga and executive producer Seth MacFarlane, Books of Blood is slated to premiere on the streamer on October 7. Starring Britt Robertson, Anna Friel, Rafi Gavron, and Yul Vazquez, the pic takes a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three tales tangled in space and time.
Also among the list of screenings are Thirst, the first-ever Icelandic gay splatter vampire flick, psychological horror Sweet River (making its North American debut), and social media teen slasher Initiation from Screamfest alum John Berardo, which was recently acquired by Saban Films
“2020 has been challenging for everyone and certainly not how we planned on celebrating Screamfest’s 20th edition,...
From director Brannon Braga and executive producer Seth MacFarlane, Books of Blood is slated to premiere on the streamer on October 7. Starring Britt Robertson, Anna Friel, Rafi Gavron, and Yul Vazquez, the pic takes a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three tales tangled in space and time.
Also among the list of screenings are Thirst, the first-ever Icelandic gay splatter vampire flick, psychological horror Sweet River (making its North American debut), and social media teen slasher Initiation from Screamfest alum John Berardo, which was recently acquired by Saban Films
“2020 has been challenging for everyone and certainly not how we planned on celebrating Screamfest’s 20th edition,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the most important and haunting collections of horror writing released in our time, Clive Barker's Books of Blood (comprising six volumes in total) are the inspiration for a new movie coming to Hulu this fall, and you can now watch its first teaser trailer ahead of its forthcoming release.
Directed by Brannon Braga, with Barker and Seth MacFarlane among its executive producers, Books of Blood will premiere on Hulu on October 7th:
"Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology Books Of Blood, this feature takes audiences on a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time.
The film stars Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, Yul Vazquez and Freda Foh Shen.
Directed by Brannon Braga, the film is executive produced by Braga, Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, Clive Barker and Adam Simon.
Directed by Brannon Braga, with Barker and Seth MacFarlane among its executive producers, Books of Blood will premiere on Hulu on October 7th:
"Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology Books Of Blood, this feature takes audiences on a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time.
The film stars Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, Yul Vazquez and Freda Foh Shen.
Directed by Brannon Braga, the film is executive produced by Braga, Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, Clive Barker and Adam Simon.
- 9/10/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The Big3 basketball league has taken aim at James Dolan, the executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company and exec chair of Msg Networks, better known as the man who owns the New York Knicks.
The Big3, owned by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, issued a racially charged attack ad on Dolan, who has been under fire for ugly confrontations with director Spike Lee and former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley.
More from Deadline'David Byrne's American Utopia' Will Return To Broadway In The FallSpike Lee Honors Kobe Bryant At Oscars With Purple And Gold Suit On Red CarpetSpike Lee To Direct Film Version Of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Stage Show The ad, used to promote a June 27 outdoor festival at Flushing Meadows in New York, quotes Oakley (“It’s a plantation over there”) and Lee, implying that Dolan treats his employees and fans like vassals.
Under the Oakley and Lee quotations was a message: “Players are not property. The fans are our guests.’’
So far, neither Msg or the Big3 have commented on the ad.
Oakley sued Dolan and Msg for defamation, battery, false imprisonment and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act after a confrontation at the Garden. He was banned from the Garden for a year and the lawsuit was dismissed
Lee, a longtime New York Knicks superfan, was in a confrontation over which entrance to his courtside seats he would use. Lee insisted on using the employees entrance, while the Garden security instead directed him to the media entrance.
Big3 Basketball Causes A Stir With Racially Charged Ad Against Madison Square Garden Head James Dolan.
The Big3, owned by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, issued a racially charged attack ad on Dolan, who has been under fire for ugly confrontations with director Spike Lee and former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley.
More from Deadline'David Byrne's American Utopia' Will Return To Broadway In The FallSpike Lee Honors Kobe Bryant At Oscars With Purple And Gold Suit On Red CarpetSpike Lee To Direct Film Version Of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Stage Show The ad, used to promote a June 27 outdoor festival at Flushing Meadows in New York, quotes Oakley (“It’s a plantation over there”) and Lee, implying that Dolan treats his employees and fans like vassals.
Under the Oakley and Lee quotations was a message: “Players are not property. The fans are our guests.’’
So far, neither Msg or the Big3 have commented on the ad.
Oakley sued Dolan and Msg for defamation, battery, false imprisonment and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act after a confrontation at the Garden. He was banned from the Garden for a year and the lawsuit was dismissed
Lee, a longtime New York Knicks superfan, was in a confrontation over which entrance to his courtside seats he would use. Lee insisted on using the employees entrance, while the Garden security instead directed him to the media entrance.
Big3 Basketball Causes A Stir With Racially Charged Ad Against Madison Square Garden Head James Dolan.
- 3/14/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The specialty box office is headed towards the second star on the right and straight on till morning with Benh Zeitlin’s magical adventure Wendy, a fresh reimagination of J. M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan. The pic from Searclight Pictures is Zeitlin’s follow up to his Oscar-nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild which was released in 2012.
Co-written by Zeitlin and his sister Eliza, Wendy isn’t necessarily cut from the same cloth from Disney animated feature, rather it speaks to Zeitlin’s hyperealstic aesthtetic. The film, which debuted at Sundance earlier this year, stars newcomer Devin France in the titular role of Wendy, based on the heroine Wendy Darling of Peter Pan. In Zeitlin’s vision of Neverland, Wendy and her friends get whisked away by a boy named Peter where they get lost on a mysterious island where no one ages and time stands still.
Co-written by Zeitlin and his sister Eliza, Wendy isn’t necessarily cut from the same cloth from Disney animated feature, rather it speaks to Zeitlin’s hyperealstic aesthtetic. The film, which debuted at Sundance earlier this year, stars newcomer Devin France in the titular role of Wendy, based on the heroine Wendy Darling of Peter Pan. In Zeitlin’s vision of Neverland, Wendy and her friends get whisked away by a boy named Peter where they get lost on a mysterious island where no one ages and time stands still.
- 2/28/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Andy McQueen (Fahrenheit 451), Freda Foh Shen (Ad Astra) and Nicholas Campbell (Da Vinci’s Inquest) have joined the cast of Hulu’s Books of Blood, an original film based on Clive Barker’s horror anthology. The film is from The Orville duo of Brannon Braga, who is co-writing, executive producing and will direct in his feature helming debut; and Seth MacFarlane, who is exec producing. It hails from Fox 21 Television Studios and MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions, and is slated for premiere in fall 2020.
Written by Braga and Adam Simon based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material, Books of Blood takes a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three tales tangled in space and time. The cast already includes Anna Friel, Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron and Yul Vazquez.
McQueen plays Steve, a dim hit man who’s partnered with Vazquez’s Bennett.
Written by Braga and Adam Simon based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material, Books of Blood takes a journey into uncharted and forbidden territory through three tales tangled in space and time. The cast already includes Anna Friel, Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron and Yul Vazquez.
McQueen plays Steve, a dim hit man who’s partnered with Vazquez’s Bennett.
- 11/13/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Joseph Baxter Nov 1, 2019
Hulu is adapting Clive Barker’s story collection, Books of Blood, as a movie, adding Star Trek director Brannon Braga and a stacked cast.
Books of Blood, the 1984-1985 six-volume short story collection that first brought maestro of macabre Clive Barker to prominence, is getting a feature film treatment. However, don’t expect to find said film at theaters, VOD, or, for that matter, even Netflix. – It’s coming to Hulu!
Brannon Braga, the veteran writer and producer of the Star Trek franchise, will be the driving force behind Hulu’s Books of Blood in a move that will certainly delight Trekkies… well, the ones who can appreciate hellishly twisted creatures and ambulatory flayed people. The project will be the feature directorial debut for Braga, who’s also serving as executive producer, set to co-write with Adam Simon, who worked with him on Wgn America series Salem.
Hulu is adapting Clive Barker’s story collection, Books of Blood, as a movie, adding Star Trek director Brannon Braga and a stacked cast.
Books of Blood, the 1984-1985 six-volume short story collection that first brought maestro of macabre Clive Barker to prominence, is getting a feature film treatment. However, don’t expect to find said film at theaters, VOD, or, for that matter, even Netflix. – It’s coming to Hulu!
Brannon Braga, the veteran writer and producer of the Star Trek franchise, will be the driving force behind Hulu’s Books of Blood in a move that will certainly delight Trekkies… well, the ones who can appreciate hellishly twisted creatures and ambulatory flayed people. The project will be the feature directorial debut for Braga, who’s also serving as executive producer, set to co-write with Adam Simon, who worked with him on Wgn America series Salem.
- 11/1/2019
- Den of Geek
Brannon Braga has set up a film adaptation of Clive Barker’s horror anthology “Books of Blood” at Hulu, Variety has learned.
Braga will co-write, executive produce, and direct in his feature directorial debut. The film is described as a journey through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time. Anna Friel, Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, and Yul Vazquez will star. Official descriptions for their characters can be found below. The film is expected to debut in fall 2020.
Adam Simon, who co-created the Wgn America series “Salem” with Braga, will also co-write, with the film based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material. Both will executive produce along with Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, and Alana Kleiman of Fuzzy Door Productions along with Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, and Barker. Mark Miller will serve as co-executive producer, with Joe Micucci, Fuzzy Door’s Jason Clark, and Michael Mahoney producing.
Braga will co-write, executive produce, and direct in his feature directorial debut. The film is described as a journey through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time. Anna Friel, Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, and Yul Vazquez will star. Official descriptions for their characters can be found below. The film is expected to debut in fall 2020.
Adam Simon, who co-created the Wgn America series “Salem” with Braga, will also co-write, with the film based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material. Both will executive produce along with Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, and Alana Kleiman of Fuzzy Door Productions along with Brian Witten, Jeff Kwatinetz, Josh Barry, and Barker. Mark Miller will serve as co-executive producer, with Joe Micucci, Fuzzy Door’s Jason Clark, and Michael Mahoney producing.
- 10/31/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Just in time for Halloween, Hulu is finalizing deals on Books of Blood, an original film based on Clive Barker’s horror anthology, from The Orville duo of Brannon Braga, who is co-writing, executive producing and will direct in his feature directorial debut, and Seth MacFarlane, who is exec producing. Anna Friel (Marcella) stars in the moving alongside Britt Robertson (For the People), Rafi Gavron (A Star Is Born) and Yul Vazquez. The film, which hails from Fox 21 Television Studios and MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions, is slated for premiere in fall 2020.
The project had been in the works at Hulu for over a year, long before the streamer became The Orville‘s new home this past summer.
Written by Braga and Adam Simon based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material, Books of Blood takes a journey into...
The project had been in the works at Hulu for over a year, long before the streamer became The Orville‘s new home this past summer.
Written by Braga and Adam Simon based on a short story by Barker with contributing original material, Books of Blood takes a journey into...
- 10/31/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS Sports and Big3, the professional 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, have agreed to an exclusive deal for live broadcasts of Big3’s 2019 season.
Games will be shown on CBS and CBS Sports Network, with more than 20 hours throughout the season on the former and more than 25 hours on the latter.
The 2019 season, the league’s third, is set to open on CBS in primetime on Saturday, June 22. During the 11-week season, games will air live on CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network on both Saturday and Sunday, with the championship game on September 1.
CBS Sports Network will also air the Big3 Draft live on May 1, when 120 professional players will vie for only 31 open roster spots on 12 teams, expanded from eight the first two seasons.
In 2018, according to today’s announcement, average arena attendance for the emerging league exceeded 14,000, up from 11,000 in its debut year.
Games will be shown on CBS and CBS Sports Network, with more than 20 hours throughout the season on the former and more than 25 hours on the latter.
The 2019 season, the league’s third, is set to open on CBS in primetime on Saturday, June 22. During the 11-week season, games will air live on CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network on both Saturday and Sunday, with the championship game on September 1.
CBS Sports Network will also air the Big3 Draft live on May 1, when 120 professional players will vie for only 31 open roster spots on 12 teams, expanded from eight the first two seasons.
In 2018, according to today’s announcement, average arena attendance for the emerging league exceeded 14,000, up from 11,000 in its debut year.
- 4/4/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Chinonye Chukwu is attached to direct an adaptation of former Black Panther leader Elaine Brown’s memoir, A Taste of Power. Black List writer Alyssa Hill will adapt the screenplay. This comes right on the heels of the Sunday night Sundance premiere of Clemency, which Chukwu wrote and directed. The film is competing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and the filmmaker and cast got a standing ovation.
The adaptation’s producers are Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon for Unburdened Entertainment, and Scooter Braun and James Shin for Sb Projects. Executive Producers are Elaine Brown and Jeff Kwatinetz, as well as Scott Manson of Sb Projects, Andrew Heckler and Bronwyn Cornelius, latter of whom is a producer on Clemency.
Paradigm is handling financing for the project.
Elaine Brown is the first and only female leader of the Black Panther party from 1974 – 1977, this after Huey Newton was exiled to Cuba.
The adaptation’s producers are Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon for Unburdened Entertainment, and Scooter Braun and James Shin for Sb Projects. Executive Producers are Elaine Brown and Jeff Kwatinetz, as well as Scott Manson of Sb Projects, Andrew Heckler and Bronwyn Cornelius, latter of whom is a producer on Clemency.
Paradigm is handling financing for the project.
Elaine Brown is the first and only female leader of the Black Panther party from 1974 – 1977, this after Huey Newton was exiled to Cuba.
- 1/28/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Can anyone really ever get too much stop-motion clay animation programming? MTV Studios doesn't think so. To that end, it is reviving its old Celebrity Deathmatch TV show, for a new generation. Ice Cube, will star, and is executive producing alongside Jeff Kwatinetz via Cube Vision. Eric Fogel -- who created the original series that ran on MTV for eight seasons, between 1998 and 2007 -- will also executive produce.
It doesn't sound like the series will wind up on MTV though. MTV Studios is making the series for either an "exclusive" streaming platform, or a premium network. Learn more about the Celebrity Deathmatch TV series revival, from this MTV press release. Read More…...
It doesn't sound like the series will wind up on MTV though. MTV Studios is making the series for either an "exclusive" streaming platform, or a premium network. Learn more about the Celebrity Deathmatch TV series revival, from this MTV press release. Read More…...
- 12/6/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
MTV Studios has lined up “Celebrity Deathmatch” as its latest series revival.
Series creator Eric Fogel will return to executive produce, with Ice Cube set to executive produce and star in the new take on the stop-motion animation series. Jeff Kwatinetz of Cube Vision will also executive produce with Ben Hurwitz co-executive producing. The new “Celebrity Deathmatch” will be available as a weekly series for an Svod or other network partner in 2019.
“We’re excited to grow our partnership with Ice Cube and Cube Vision to reimagine this fan favorite,” said Chris McCarthy, president of MTV, VH1 and Cmt. “’Deathmatch’ was the meme before memes, remains a hot topic on social media and will be a smart, funny way to tackle the over-the-top rhetoric of today’s pop culture where it belongs – in the wrestling ring.”
“Celebrity Deathmatch” originally aired from 1998-2001 on MTV. It presented parodies of various celebrities as they engaged in brutal,...
Series creator Eric Fogel will return to executive produce, with Ice Cube set to executive produce and star in the new take on the stop-motion animation series. Jeff Kwatinetz of Cube Vision will also executive produce with Ben Hurwitz co-executive producing. The new “Celebrity Deathmatch” will be available as a weekly series for an Svod or other network partner in 2019.
“We’re excited to grow our partnership with Ice Cube and Cube Vision to reimagine this fan favorite,” said Chris McCarthy, president of MTV, VH1 and Cmt. “’Deathmatch’ was the meme before memes, remains a hot topic on social media and will be a smart, funny way to tackle the over-the-top rhetoric of today’s pop culture where it belongs – in the wrestling ring.”
“Celebrity Deathmatch” originally aired from 1998-2001 on MTV. It presented parodies of various celebrities as they engaged in brutal,...
- 12/5/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
MTV Studios is reaching back into its past to bring back another fan favorite. This time in the form of stop-motion animation.
The Viacom-owned company announced Wednesday morning it’s working on a reboot of “Celebrity Deathmatch,” the animated series that pitted like-minded celebrities against each other in fights that very often ended in gruesome deaths for one, if not both, of the fighters.
The new version will star Ice Cube, who will also executive- produce alongside his partner Jeff Kwatinetz through his Cube Vision production company. Series creator Eric Fogel will return to executive- produce as well, with additional showrunners and talent to be named shortly. The new version will be available as a weekly series for an exclusive streaming or premium broadcast partner in 2019, with MTV adding the franchise reboot will include consumer products, gaming and theatrical.
Also Read: MTV Launches 'Jersey Shore' YouTube Channel...
The Viacom-owned company announced Wednesday morning it’s working on a reboot of “Celebrity Deathmatch,” the animated series that pitted like-minded celebrities against each other in fights that very often ended in gruesome deaths for one, if not both, of the fighters.
The new version will star Ice Cube, who will also executive- produce alongside his partner Jeff Kwatinetz through his Cube Vision production company. Series creator Eric Fogel will return to executive- produce as well, with additional showrunners and talent to be named shortly. The new version will be available as a weekly series for an exclusive streaming or premium broadcast partner in 2019, with MTV adding the franchise reboot will include consumer products, gaming and theatrical.
Also Read: MTV Launches 'Jersey Shore' YouTube Channel...
- 12/5/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
MTV Studios is reviving another classic MTV series, Celebrity Deathmatch. The recently launched studio is developing a reimagined version of the cult-favorite claymation stop-motion satire that skewered celebrities, politicians and everyone in between during its famed original 1998-2002 run. Ice Cube is attached to star and will executive produce alongside his partner Jeff Kwatinetz through his Cube Vision production company. Series creator Eric Fogel will return to executive produce as well, with additional showrunners and talent to be named shortly.
The all-new Celebrity Deathmatch will be shopped as a weekly series to premium and streaming networks in 2019. The show is the first step in a plan for reinventing the franchise across consumer products, gaming, theatrical and more.
MTV in June announced the creation of MTV Studios with exploiting library IP as a main goal and an initial slate that included a reimagining of MTV’s animated comedy Daria, an update...
The all-new Celebrity Deathmatch will be shopped as a weekly series to premium and streaming networks in 2019. The show is the first step in a plan for reinventing the franchise across consumer products, gaming, theatrical and more.
MTV in June announced the creation of MTV Studios with exploiting library IP as a main goal and an initial slate that included a reimagining of MTV’s animated comedy Daria, an update...
- 12/5/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has given a script commitment plus penalty to an hour-long faith-based police procedural drama from The Chi co-executive producer Joseph C. Wilson, Ice Cube’s CubeVision and 20th Century Fox TV, where CubeVision and Wilson are under overall deals.
Written by Wilson, the police procedural infuses contemporary retellings of stories from the Bible. It centers on Melvin Reed, a larger-than-life District Commander. With the beating heart of faith driving his commitment to his squad, his community and his family, he sets out to do the impossible – transform one of the most crime-ridden districts in Baltimore by transforming the hearts and minds of both his officers and the residents they’re sworn to protect.
The project is inspired by the life of Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Russell, who serves as a producer on the project. A longtime Baltimore police officer and a preacher, he implemented a new, holistic approach when he...
Written by Wilson, the police procedural infuses contemporary retellings of stories from the Bible. It centers on Melvin Reed, a larger-than-life District Commander. With the beating heart of faith driving his commitment to his squad, his community and his family, he sets out to do the impossible – transform one of the most crime-ridden districts in Baltimore by transforming the hearts and minds of both his officers and the residents they’re sworn to protect.
The project is inspired by the life of Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Russell, who serves as a producer on the project. A longtime Baltimore police officer and a preacher, he implemented a new, holistic approach when he...
- 10/5/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Straight from the Mamba's mouth ... Kobe Bryant says he's Never returning to pro basketball. The NBA legend set the record straight in an interview with Rich Eisen ... saying "I will never come back to the game. Ever. I am here to show people that we can do much more than that." Of course, Black Mamba already has an Oscar for his animated short film "Dear Basketball" ... and has a bunch of other projects geared towards connecting youth to sports.
- 8/24/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz is Not throwing in the towel on Kobe Bryant playing in his league next season -- telling TMZ Sports he trusts his source. After Kobe's rep shot down Jeff's previous claim that he'd be suiting up for the 2019 season, we saw Jk out in NYC ... and he made it clear he's not backing down. "There's no mix-up. Someone who's a good source, who I'm not gonna reveal, says he's gonna play.
- 8/23/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Kobe Bryant playing in the BIG3 next year is "100% not happening" ... so says the woman who runs Kobe's company. Rumors started swirling Tuesday when BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz told reporters on a conference call that he heard from a "credible source" that "Kobe is going to be playing next year." Of course, Ice Cube and several BIG3 players including Stephen Jackson and Allen Iverson have called for Kobe to join the league -- because it...
- 8/21/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The Big3 League, a new half-court collective backed by Ice Cube and film/TV producer Jeff Kwatinetz that brings together some past National Baskeball League stars, clanked off the ratings rim for Fox in its 8-10 Pm Friday slot.
Boasting stars like Carlos Boozer, Metta World Peace, Nate Robinson and Kwame Brown, the Big3 League is focused on entertainment, with a 4-point shot and three 4-point circles beyond the 3-point line.
But in its 8-10 Pm slot on Fox, the league’s second week of action drew 1.03 million viewers and a 0.3/1 rating/share among the 18-49 demo, trailing two repeats on CBS and NBC.
Overall on Friday night, NBC’s Dateline scored the ratings/share win among adults 18-49, while CBS led in total viewers.
Leading the 8 p.m. slot was Undercover Boss: Celebrity Edition on CBS, which topped the time period with 3.67 million viewers and tied in 18-49 rating...
Boasting stars like Carlos Boozer, Metta World Peace, Nate Robinson and Kwame Brown, the Big3 League is focused on entertainment, with a 4-point shot and three 4-point circles beyond the 3-point line.
But in its 8-10 Pm slot on Fox, the league’s second week of action drew 1.03 million viewers and a 0.3/1 rating/share among the 18-49 demo, trailing two repeats on CBS and NBC.
Overall on Friday night, NBC’s Dateline scored the ratings/share win among adults 18-49, while CBS led in total viewers.
Leading the 8 p.m. slot was Undercover Boss: Celebrity Edition on CBS, which topped the time period with 3.67 million viewers and tied in 18-49 rating...
- 6/30/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The three-on-three hoops action of Big3 — the basketball league co-founded by Ice Cube that features former NBA stars in fast-paced, half-court games — will be coming to Facebook later this month.
Fox Sports signed a deal with the social-media platform to stream one Big3 game per week live during the 2018 season exclusively on Facebook, free to anyone in the world to watch. The games on Facebook will lead in to three additional games, which will air exclusively on Fox or FS1 (and simulcast live in the Fox Sports app) during the regular season and playoffs.
The pact tips off with the Big3 season opener in Houston on June 22, available on the Big3 on Fox page (facebook.com/big3onfox) for the first nine weeks of the season. In addition to getting exclusive live access to nine games this summer, Facebook will host highlight packages and game recaps for all 37 games, including...
Fox Sports signed a deal with the social-media platform to stream one Big3 game per week live during the 2018 season exclusively on Facebook, free to anyone in the world to watch. The games on Facebook will lead in to three additional games, which will air exclusively on Fox or FS1 (and simulcast live in the Fox Sports app) during the regular season and playoffs.
The pact tips off with the Big3 season opener in Houston on June 22, available on the Big3 on Fox page (facebook.com/big3onfox) for the first nine weeks of the season. In addition to getting exclusive live access to nine games this summer, Facebook will host highlight packages and game recaps for all 37 games, including...
- 6/12/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Roger Mason is changing course in his war against the BIG3 -- he just agreed to move his lawsuit against Ice Cube's basketball league out of a Delaware court and pursue his claims in arbitration ... TMZ Sports has learned. Mason -- the former commissioner of the BIG3 -- had filed court docs claiming league execs used him as a scapegoat for their money woes. In the docs, Mason also accused BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz...
- 5/8/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Exclusive: Excessive Force, a story about racism and corruption based on a story and script written by Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube, is planning to go into production this fall with Carl Franklin at the helm.
Excessive Force, to be produced by Joe Roth and CubeVision, will star Ice Cube. The storyline of the controversial thriller is being kept under wraps, but we know it involves excessive force in the Cleveland police department and shines a spotlight on racism and systematic corruption.
Franklin, who has been busy as a TV director, directing episodes of Ray Donovan, Ten Days in the Valley, The Leftover and 13 Reasons Why, is attached to direct and CubeVision are budgeting the film now.
The project is the latest on a slate from CubeVision which is flush with development funds after sealing a deal earlier this year with strategic partner Aid Partners,...
Excessive Force, to be produced by Joe Roth and CubeVision, will star Ice Cube. The storyline of the controversial thriller is being kept under wraps, but we know it involves excessive force in the Cleveland police department and shines a spotlight on racism and systematic corruption.
Franklin, who has been busy as a TV director, directing episodes of Ray Donovan, Ten Days in the Valley, The Leftover and 13 Reasons Why, is attached to direct and CubeVision are budgeting the film now.
The project is the latest on a slate from CubeVision which is flush with development funds after sealing a deal earlier this year with strategic partner Aid Partners,...
- 4/24/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
Ice Cube's got a message for the Qatari investors he's suing for over $1 Billion ... after they allegedly went back on their agreement with the BIG3. "We gon’ win. Stay out of American sports if you don’t wanna do the right thing," Cube said on his way into Power 106 in L.A. to promote VH1 "Hip Hop Squares," which premieres Wednesday night. TMZ Sports broke the story -- Cube and his BIG3 partner, Jeff Kwatinetz,...
- 4/17/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Ice Cube is escalating his beef with the royal family of Qatar -- warning the Emir not to threaten BIG3 players or Any American athlete. We broke the story Cube and his BIG3 partner, Jeff Kwatinetz, filed a $1.2 Billion lawsuit against several Qatari investors ... including royal family member Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani. Cube claims the investors screwed the league out of millions -- and then made threats saying, "You should think...
- 4/10/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Updated to include comment from the Qatar government’s communications office.
Big3 basketball league founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are suing a group of Qatari nationals for $1.2 billion, claiming the investors boasted of connections to the royal family and its riches, but paid little more than half of the money they agreed to invest in the 3-on-3 professional basketball league.
In a suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here), the plaintiffs accuse the investor group of defamation, libel, and interference with contractual relationships. The complaint alleges that one of the investors spread a false and harmful rumor about Kwatinetz, referring to the league’s African-American players as “Rich Nigg*s,” racist language he said he “never had and never would” use. It also claims the investors told players and outsiders that the league was poorly managed.
“When Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong...
Big3 basketball league founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are suing a group of Qatari nationals for $1.2 billion, claiming the investors boasted of connections to the royal family and its riches, but paid little more than half of the money they agreed to invest in the 3-on-3 professional basketball league.
In a suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here), the plaintiffs accuse the investor group of defamation, libel, and interference with contractual relationships. The complaint alleges that one of the investors spread a false and harmful rumor about Kwatinetz, referring to the league’s African-American players as “Rich Nigg*s,” racist language he said he “never had and never would” use. It also claims the investors told players and outsiders that the league was poorly managed.
“When Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong...
- 4/7/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Ice Cube is looking to score big against people he says stiffed him on investments in his BIG3 basketball league, then spread lies when they were cut off from the league.
The rapper and his BIG3 partner Jeff Kwatinetz have filed suit against Qatar Investment Authority CEO Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bun Saud Al Thani and others, seeking $1.2 billion in damages, alleging defamation, trade libel and other counts.
The suit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, says the league “was to take the most popular played sport in the world, 3 on 3 basketball, from the playground to the professional setting of NBA-style arenas and broadcast games.”
Also Read: Ice Cube Is Cool With National Anthem Protests in His BIG3 Basketball League (Exclusive)
However, the suit says, things took a bad bounce when they agreed to take on the defendants as investors.
“Touting their love of basketball and familial connections and relationships with the royal Al Thani Family in the State of Qatar, and thus access to vast resources and capital, Defendants were brought to the Big3 as passive investors,” the suit reads.
However, the suit says, instead of being passive investors, the defendants “quickly started to insinuate themselves into the affairs of BIG3 despite failing to live up to even their most basic obligation to fully fund their investment.”
Also Read: Ice Cube on American Racism: 'Trump Is Creating a Real Fire'
The complaint adds, “These members and associates of the royal family made excuse after excuse for not paying, all of which is documented in text messages and emails, where the blame for their failure to fund the millions they owed the BIG3 ran the gamut from their ‘sinuses,’ ‘hiking,’ it being a ‘long day bro,’ and to bad press regarding Qatar associations with alleged funding of terrorism … Also, like a simple debtor in hiding from a collection agency, these Defendants with their purported links to the Qatar royal family would go into hiding and refused to return phone calls and ignore Plaintiffs.”
Cube and Kwatinetz say that an investigation found that the defendants “were falsely bragging about ‘operating the league,’ and how they were friends with BIG3 celebrity investors as well as BIG3 and NBA basketball stars and legends.” According to the suit, the defendants had a “history of scandal surrounding its basketball programs” and believed their relationship with the BIG3 and the celebrities and athletes associated with the league “would improve the public perception of Qatar in the United States as well as its standing in the arena of sports on a global level.”
Also Read: Ice Cube on BIG3 Championship, Champagne Celebrations and if Lamar Odom Will Ever Play
After the defendants declined multiple chances to pay “the millions they indisputably owed,” the suit says, they were kicked to curb and severed from the league — after with the defendants “retaliated with a campaign of disinformation and by making outrageous defamatory statements against all Plaintiffs and interfering with Plaintiffs’ existing and prospective contractual relations, to harm the league and destabilize if for one last desperate shot at control.”
“Ironically, when Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong dream of starting a basketball league from the ground up, and invested their personal assets and time in doing so, the last thing on their list of plausible concerns and impediments would be the malicious and reckless conduct of foreign actors and compromised agents and actors working on their behalf,” the suit reads. “Nonetheless, Plaintiffs and the players of the BIG3 who are heavily invested in the success of the league have united to confront this challenge and protect their American dream.”
The suit seeks $1.2 billion in consequential damages, “or approximately $20 million per player in the IGig3.”
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
Read original story Ice Cube Files $1.2 Billion Lawsuit Against Qatari Investors in His Basketball League At TheWrap...
The rapper and his BIG3 partner Jeff Kwatinetz have filed suit against Qatar Investment Authority CEO Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bun Saud Al Thani and others, seeking $1.2 billion in damages, alleging defamation, trade libel and other counts.
The suit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, says the league “was to take the most popular played sport in the world, 3 on 3 basketball, from the playground to the professional setting of NBA-style arenas and broadcast games.”
Also Read: Ice Cube Is Cool With National Anthem Protests in His BIG3 Basketball League (Exclusive)
However, the suit says, things took a bad bounce when they agreed to take on the defendants as investors.
“Touting their love of basketball and familial connections and relationships with the royal Al Thani Family in the State of Qatar, and thus access to vast resources and capital, Defendants were brought to the Big3 as passive investors,” the suit reads.
However, the suit says, instead of being passive investors, the defendants “quickly started to insinuate themselves into the affairs of BIG3 despite failing to live up to even their most basic obligation to fully fund their investment.”
Also Read: Ice Cube on American Racism: 'Trump Is Creating a Real Fire'
The complaint adds, “These members and associates of the royal family made excuse after excuse for not paying, all of which is documented in text messages and emails, where the blame for their failure to fund the millions they owed the BIG3 ran the gamut from their ‘sinuses,’ ‘hiking,’ it being a ‘long day bro,’ and to bad press regarding Qatar associations with alleged funding of terrorism … Also, like a simple debtor in hiding from a collection agency, these Defendants with their purported links to the Qatar royal family would go into hiding and refused to return phone calls and ignore Plaintiffs.”
Cube and Kwatinetz say that an investigation found that the defendants “were falsely bragging about ‘operating the league,’ and how they were friends with BIG3 celebrity investors as well as BIG3 and NBA basketball stars and legends.” According to the suit, the defendants had a “history of scandal surrounding its basketball programs” and believed their relationship with the BIG3 and the celebrities and athletes associated with the league “would improve the public perception of Qatar in the United States as well as its standing in the arena of sports on a global level.”
Also Read: Ice Cube on BIG3 Championship, Champagne Celebrations and if Lamar Odom Will Ever Play
After the defendants declined multiple chances to pay “the millions they indisputably owed,” the suit says, they were kicked to curb and severed from the league — after with the defendants “retaliated with a campaign of disinformation and by making outrageous defamatory statements against all Plaintiffs and interfering with Plaintiffs’ existing and prospective contractual relations, to harm the league and destabilize if for one last desperate shot at control.”
“Ironically, when Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong dream of starting a basketball league from the ground up, and invested their personal assets and time in doing so, the last thing on their list of plausible concerns and impediments would be the malicious and reckless conduct of foreign actors and compromised agents and actors working on their behalf,” the suit reads. “Nonetheless, Plaintiffs and the players of the BIG3 who are heavily invested in the success of the league have united to confront this challenge and protect their American dream.”
The suit seeks $1.2 billion in consequential damages, “or approximately $20 million per player in the IGig3.”
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
Read original story Ice Cube Files $1.2 Billion Lawsuit Against Qatari Investors in His Basketball League At TheWrap...
- 4/5/2018
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Ice Cube and his partner in the BIG3 basketball league have filed a $1 Billion lawsuit against multiple Qatari investors who allegedly failed to pony up their money for the league. TMZ Sports has obtained the complaint in which Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are suing several individuals including Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani ... the CEO of the Qatari Investment Authority. Cube says the Qataris were supposed to invest $5 Million and be passive investors...
- 4/5/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler is the New man in charge of Ice Cube's BIG3 basketball league -- replacing Roger Mason Jr. ... who got the ax earlier this week. As we previously reported, Mason and BIG3 are in the middle of a legal war -- so BIG3 removed him from the top spot and had Ice Cube fill in while they searched for a new Commish. But, the search is over ... BIG3 tells TMZ Sports...
- 3/15/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Roger Mason is firing back at the BIG3 basketball league after he was fired as commissioner -- claiming the work environment has been "hostile and racist." But BIG3 & Ice Cube say he's full of crap. TMZ Sports broke the story ... Mason got the ax from BIG3 on Monday for refusing to cooperate with a lawsuit against two Qatari investors who allegedly screwed the league out of millions of dollars. BIG3 says Mason has a personal...
- 3/13/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Danny Strong, co-creator of Fox's Empire, has been tapped to pen Disney’s modern and musical take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning director of Hamilton, is attached to helm the project, which has Ice Cube on board to star and produce.
Also producing are Marc Platt, the veteran movie producer who was behind Broadway’s hit musical Wicked, and Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm.
Oliver Twist is one of Dickens’ most famous works and tells of an orphan boy who moves from a life as an exploited child laborer to being under the wings of Fagin, a leader of...
Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning director of Hamilton, is attached to helm the project, which has Ice Cube on board to star and produce.
Also producing are Marc Platt, the veteran movie producer who was behind Broadway’s hit musical Wicked, and Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm.
Oliver Twist is one of Dickens’ most famous works and tells of an orphan boy who moves from a life as an exploited child laborer to being under the wings of Fagin, a leader of...
- 1/18/2018
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Game Change and The Butler screenwriter Danny Strong has been tapped to script a Disney remake of the beloved musical Oliver! which has Thomas Kail, a Tony winner for Hamilton, directing. Marc Platt (La La Land) and Cube Vision’s Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube (Straight Outta Compton) are producing for the Walt Disney Co. While publicists came forth saying that it was a musical version of a public domain title Oliver Twist, all those who Deadline spoke with said,…...
- 1/18/2018
- Deadline
2017-12-04T07:40:23-08:00Netflix Cancels 'Haters Back Off'
Just a year or so ago, it was virtually unheard of for a Netflix original series to get cancelled. Now, although it's still nearly a given that every new series will get a second season, it's getting harder for series to hold through three or more seasons. The latest casualty is Haters Back Off, the comedy series based on a YouTube channel that failed to draw much of an audience on the streaming service. Haters was picked up for a second season last year, but Netflix will not be producing a third.
Via Deadline.
Netflix has opted not to renew comedy series Haters Back Off for a third season.
The streaming service took a swing with Haters Back Off, based on popular YouTube personality Colleen Ballinger’s oddball character Miranda Sings. From the little Netflix viewership data provided by measurement companies,...
Just a year or so ago, it was virtually unheard of for a Netflix original series to get cancelled. Now, although it's still nearly a given that every new series will get a second season, it's getting harder for series to hold through three or more seasons. The latest casualty is Haters Back Off, the comedy series based on a YouTube channel that failed to draw much of an audience on the streaming service. Haters was picked up for a second season last year, but Netflix will not be producing a third.
Via Deadline.
Netflix has opted not to renew comedy series Haters Back Off for a third season.
The streaming service took a swing with Haters Back Off, based on popular YouTube personality Colleen Ballinger’s oddball character Miranda Sings. From the little Netflix viewership data provided by measurement companies,...
- 12/4/2017
- by EG
- Yidio
Exclusive: The Firm is making changes after its founder Jeff Kwatinetz exited the company to go work with attorney Mark Geragos and concentrate on his other companies with Ice Cube. Three lower-level employees were laid off as well as Kevin McKeon, who was Head of Film Robbie Brenner’s No. 2 exec. The company also is restructuring deals of Brenner and its Head of TV Priscilla Crowe. There had been rumors of a bankruptcy, but we’re told that is definitely not the case and…...
- 11/6/2017
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: The Firm is making changes after its founder Jeff Kwatinetz exited the company to go work with attorney Mark Geragos and concentrate on his other companies with Ice Cube. Three lower-level employees were laid off as well as Kevin McKeon, who was Head of Film Robbie Brenner’s No. 2 exec. The company also is restructuring deals of Brenner and its Head of TV Priscilla Crowe. There had been rumors of a bankruptcy, but we’re told that is definitely not the case and…...
- 11/6/2017
- Deadline
Exclusive: Jeff Kwatinetz, who went to Harvard Law School and graduated near the top of his class, is leaving The Firm as CEO after relaunching the company two years ago. He will now move into the law firm of Geragos & Geragos to practice civil rights litigation, though he will remain actively involved in CubeVision and the new pro basketball league The Big3 he co-founded with Ice Cube. Kwatinetz said he sees the move as an expansion of his career to include all the…...
- 10/26/2017
- Deadline
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