Big3 moves final, clears T-Mobile Arena for Mayweather-McGregor

Marcus Dinitto

Big3 moves final, clears T-Mobile Arena for Mayweather-McGregor image

The Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor mega-bout will be held at T-Mobile Arena now that a deal has been reached between the event’s promoters and Ice Cube’s Big3 basketball league, which was originally slated to hold its championship game at the brand-new Las Vegas facility.

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With the boxing and basketball events both scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, the three-on-three hoops league has agreed to move its final to MGM Grand Garden Arena.

While the basketball game tips at 1:30 p.m. in Vegas and the boxing match is at night, it’s been anticipated since the fight was made that Big3 would relent and shift its show to a different venue. UFC president Dana White said when announcing the fight it would be held at T-Mobile Arena. 

Still, Mayweather Promotions, UFC and MGM Resorts – which co-owns T-Mobile Arena with Anschutz Entertainment – made it worth Ice Cube’s while to move his event.

Terms were not disclosed, but Cube and Big3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said in a statement it was "generous offer that we could not refuse."

“We are happy we could work together to create an opportunity for our fans to experience both events, making August 26 the most exciting day in sports and entertainment Las Vegas has ever seen,” the duo stated.

Added White: “We appreciate Ice Cube, Jeff Kwatinetz and the BIG3 for their willingness to work together on bringing the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight to T-Mobile Arena. We look forward to working together with them to ensure that the people in Las Vegas and those watching both events at home will experience a historic day in sports that they’ll never forget.”

Marcus Dinitto