Three-on-three basketball league BIG3 has announced a partnership with iHeartMedia to carry all of its games on the iHeartRadio app.
The league’s eighth season will start on Saturday, June 14. The deal will also include cross-marketing between the league and iHeart’s platforms with a heavy focus on the league’s home markets including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami. All of the league’s teams will have an iHeartRadio patch, premium sponsorship elements such as high-visibility logo placement on the court and in-arena, featured radio and podcast appearances by BIG3 personalities, VIP hospitality experiences, exclusive contesting, giveaways, and other elements.
BIG3 CEO Ice Cube said, “iHeart has the incredible capacity to reach hundreds of millions of potential BIG3 fans – their audience network is unparalleled. No other company can do what they do. Not only do they have a content lineup that blends the hottest music and entertainment with first-class sports analysis and commentary, but they have the unique capability of meeting people where they are, whether that be on podcasts, streaming, or through broadcast radio across every possible genre and taste. 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.”
“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,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group for iHeartMedia. “We look forward to bringing the passion and excitement of BIG3 to our listeners on a local and national level week after week.”
“iHeart recognizes that the BIG3 audience is expansive and valuable; everyone who experiences a live game – in person, on TV, and now via audio – becomes a fan for life. Beyond their broadcast radio network, we are particularly excited about the dedicated podcast and streaming exposure iHeart can provide us, and know this partnership will be instrumental in cultivating the future fandom of the league,” said BIG3 President Jeff Kwatinetz.
“BIG3 represents the kind of innovation, energy, and cultural relevance that we believe will resonate with iHeart audiences coast to coast,” said Mike Biondo, President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at iHeartMedia. “We’re thrilled to bring the excitement of 3-on-3 basketball to millions of fans through our audio platforms — not only live play-by-play, but also in the form of storytelling, analysis, and community engagement that only iHeart can deliver.”
