Ice Cube is locked in a battle with a pair of powerful businessmen that Cube believes are using their influence to mess up his bid for 21 TV channels Disney is selling.
Cube put together a group of investors to buy the sports channels, which are being sold by Disney for $10 billion.
A variety of companies put in their bids today, but Cube says two companies are not playing fair.
Cube says Charter Communications teamed with Atlanta Braves’ owner John Malone and his company Liberty Media, to block Big3 as a “diverse and inclusive” competitor.
“The BIG3 is not part of the old boys club and that doesn’t sit well with a company like Charter, which has been called out many times for unfair treatment of minority organizations and for consistent disregard of its own customers,” Ice Cube says.
Liberty Media is trying to get into play with money backed by the MLB, while two other companies, Sinclair Broadcasting are also trying to get the 21 stations.
Ice Cube has lined up a number of heavyweights to back him, including Magic Johnson, Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, and LL Cool J.
He submitted his final bid to Fox earlier this week and met up with DOJ officials earlier today about John Malone’s dirty tricks.
“Companies like Charter want to keep the old world and will bend the rules to do business with the same people in the same tired way,” Ice Cube continued. “Just like they always have. But it’s been way past time for a change. We have a vision for a more inclusive, more positive role for media in this country. The BIG3 buying the Fox RSNs is a big step into that future.”
We wish Cube the best in this situation.
Very happy to add Magic Johnson to our bidding group for Disney’s RSNs. pic.twitter.com/0MoaOdTfLt
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 17, 2019
We’re still in the game. Now it’s time to win it for the culture. https://t.co/Fp6DSIuomt
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 16, 2019
We are asking the DOJ, FCC and FTC to take a look at this so we do have an effective strategy. Hope they do their jobs. https://t.co/0agXj7QYAj
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 13, 2019
It’s time for a new day… pic.twitter.com/2WLsCruOC5
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 13, 2019
