Report: BIG3 facing $250M lawsuit for allegedly poaching players, ideas

Ice Cube could be in hot water.

The Champions Basketball League filed a $250-million lawsuit against the BIG3 for allegedly taking their players and ideas, according to New York Daily News' Shayna Jacobs.

CBL founder Carl George alleges that BIG3 co-founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz cheated him out of players and intellectual property.

George indicated in the Manhattan Supreme Court filing that the two leagues had originally agreed to work together with the goal of eventually competing with the NBA. The CBL recruited former hoop stars, but didn't ink them to exclusive deals so their other commitments could give the new league some publicity.

But that backfired when the BIG3 allegedly went back on its word by signing those players - including at least 20 who also agreed to play in the CBL - and barring them from suiting up elsewhere.

Per the court documents:

When certain players expressed their desire to participate in the CBL games, Mr. Cube confronted the players personally about playing in the CBL and threatened the players that they would be fined, not allowed to participate in the 52 percent of revenues bonus pool, or replaced on their teams.

The BIG3 recently wrapped up its inaugural season, with Trilogy going undefeated throughout the campaign and winning the championship. The 3-on-3 league for hoopers over 30 years old featured the likes of Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups, and Jermaine O'Neal.