Reality TV-Style ‘Quarantine Basketball’ Tournament In The Works For Big3 League Amid Spread of COVID-19

by Frank DeLorenzoMarch 23, 2020, 5:46 pmDaily Digest, News >

The Big3 league is in the process of creating a reality-tv quarantine basketball tournament to give sports’ fans something to watch amid the cancellation and postponement of several professional sports’ leagues around the world. The tournament format will reportedly feature games of 3-on-3.

“We’ve been working on safety issues to make sure we can do this responsibly,” Big3 executive Jeff Kwatinetz told The Undefeated. “We’ve made a lot of headway since last week and are hoping to move this forward as people need sports and entertainment to get them through hard times.”

The preseason tournament will showcase 16-22 players that have tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the concept would consist of seven rounds of games played in a large house with a basketball court. If any player leaves the quarantined house he will be eliminated from the tournament. Teams will be randomly selected after the first round of play has concluded and any player that records three losses will also be eliminated, sources say.

CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

As the tournament takes place, cameras will document life inside the house similar to a reality tv show. Individual players that finish first, second and third will receive cash prizes “totaling millions of dollars.”

“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,” Kwatinetz told Yahoo Sports. “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.”

Kwatinetz and Big3 owner Ice Cube are currently in discussions with a premier television network in order to broadcast the show. “It’s ‘Big Brother’ meets Big3,” Ice Cube told Spears. “If we can do it in a safe and responsible manner, we will.” Big3’s regular season opener is set for June 20.