iHeart Teams Up With Big3 Basketball for Multiplatform Coverage.

iHeartMedia has partnered with Big3, the basketball league founded by hip-hop artist and actor Ice Cube, to make iHeartRadio the exclusive audio home of Big3 games during the league’s eighth season beginning June 14.

In addition to iHeartRadio’s streaming of Big3 games, the deal includes national promotion of the league across iHeartMedia’s other platforms — including broadcast radio, podcast digital, social and live events — heavily focused on team markets Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Miami, Detroit and Baltimore.

The partnership will also include premium sponsorship elements involving all eight teams, such as high-visibility logo placement on the court and in-arena, radio and podcast appearances by Big3 personalities, VIP hospitality experiences, exclusive contesting and giveaways.

Founded in 2017, Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league with games played during the NBA’s offseason. It is “a player-centric league focused on entertainment and innovation, with no garbage minutes, where trash talk is allowed, defense is emphasized, fast-paced action, and where every point — whether it’s a 4-point or 3-point shot — counts,” iHeart’s release says.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Big3 and having the opportunity to provide play-by-play coverage and promotional support to build further brand awareness, introducing the game to millions of more fans,” iHeart Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says. “We look forward to bringing the passion and excitement of Big3 to our listeners on a local and national level week after week.”

Big3 CEO Ice Cube adds, “Our goal is to not only set the stage for the best 3-on-3 basketball in the world, but also to make the game more accessible to all, and iHeart’s ability to amplify the Big3 brand is extraordinary. This partnership is the culmination of a years-long valued relationship, and I could not be more pleased to be taking things to the next level this summer through this substantial deal.”