Ice Cube and the Big3 League have taken out a full-page ad in Tuesday's edition of the New York Times, urging President Trump to defend American athletes during his meeting today with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The message to Trump comes in the wake of Ice Cube's and Big3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz' $1.2-billion lawsuit alleging that Qatari investors withheld funds in an attempt to muscle them out of the league.
"Hey President Trump," the ad reads. "When you meet today with (Vladimir) Putin's new friend, the Emir of Qatar, please tell him not to threaten the BIG3 and American athletes!"
According to The Washington Post, the suit alleges that a Qatari group, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, the CEO of the state-run Qatar Investment Authority, only paid part of its agreed investment which ultimately cost the league millions of dollars and diminished the organization's ability to maximize its potential. Richard Morgan of the New York Post says the investors only put up one-third of the expected $20.5 million commitment. As a result, the Big3 is now seeking $1.2 billion in damages that would effectively provide each player with around $20 million.
Trump was scheduled to welcome the Emir of Qatar to the White House at noon Tuesday.
