Before getting to Conor McGregor, Floyd Mayweather has to deal with Ice Cube.
Mayweather is supposed to fight McGregor on Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what could be the richest boxing match ever. Problem is, Cube already has the venue booked for the championship game of his 3-on-3 basketball league.
The rapper-actor said Thursday the sides are in discussions and the Big3 is open to moving. He believes an agreement is near.
“But until then, we’re still in the T-Mobile Arena,” Cube said during a conference call. “So I think we’re close, but until we get over the finish line, we’re just close.”
Opened in 2016, T-Mobile Arena is the biggest venue in Las Vegas, listing a capacity of 20,000 for boxing. The backup venue, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, would hold about 3,000 fewer seats.
“I’m pretty sure the fighters want that money, the promoters of the fight, so that being said we just got to be treated right,” Cube said.
The undefeated Mayweather will be ending his retirement to face McGregor, the popular mixed martial arts star, and would be fighting at T-Mobile for the first time. UFC president Dana White has said the match would be there.
But T-Mobile’s website still lists the Big3 championship game on Aug. 26 on its calendar of events, with no mention of Mayweather-McGregor. While Cube said arena officials could ultimately do what they wanted, they couldn’t do so without breaking a contract with his league.
“We will have to come to an agreement and we will be working to do so, but we do have the arena under contract,” Big3 CEO Amy Trask said.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3 Headed Monsters Jason Williams (55) drives up against Ghost Ballers Ivan Johnson (44) during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ghost Ballers Ivan Johnson, (44) tries to strip the ball from 3 Headed Monsters' Kwame Brown (54) during the first half of the first game in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
ESPN sports analyst and former NBA player Jalen Rose, right, watches during the first half of Game 1 of the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Whoopi Goldberg, left, stands for the National Anthem before the start of the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3 Headed Monsters player, co-captain Jason Williams (55) shoots as Ghost Ballers player/co-captain Ricky Davis (31) watches from the floor during the first half of the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ghost Ballers player/captain Mike Bibby (10) knocks the ball from 3 Header Monsters' Eddie Basden (13) during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player/captain and coach Allen Iverson (3) takes a three-point shot during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Big3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube waves to the crowd during a time out in the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player/captain and coach Allen Iverson (3) goes up for a shot with Ball Hogs player/captain Brian Scalabrine (24) and Ball Hogs player co-captain Josh Childress watching from the floor during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player/captain and coach Allen Iverson, center, watches from the sideline during the first half of Game 3 against the Ball Hogs in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player/captain and coach Allen Iverson, center, kneels on the sideline during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ball Hogs' Dominic McGuire (5) and Derrick Byars, right, defend 3's Company Michael Sweetney, center, during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ghost Ballers Ivan Johnson, center, loses the ball as 3 Headed Monsters Eddie Basden, left, defends and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (7) watches from the floor during the first half of Game 1 of the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
BIG3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube, center, applauds during Game 1 of the league's debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Tri-State coach Julius "Dr. J" Erving watches his during the first half of the Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Tri State player-captain Jermaine O'Neal, left, looks to shoot with Power player/captain Corey Maggette (50) defending during the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Rapper Fabolous greets well-wishers during a break in action in the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Rapper LL Cool J, second from left, reacts as he watches during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
From left, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, poses for a photograph with league founder Ice Cube, Rockets Lou Williams and ESPN analyst and former basketball player Jalen Rose after the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League's debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Power player/captain Cuttino Mobley, top, looks to pass as Tri-State's Mike James (13) defends during the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Tri-State player/captain Jermaine O'Neal (7) dunks in front of Power Moochie Norris (96) during the first half of the Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Power player, co-captain Cuttino Mobley (5) shoots with two Tri-State defenders at his side during the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Tri-State coach Julius "Dr. J" Erving, center, gestures as he is introduced for Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Tri-State's Mike James (13) shoots with Power's Jerome Williams, left, and player/co-captain Cuttino Mobley, right, defending during the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player captain and coach Allen Iverson, left, defends Ball Hogs Brain Scalabrine during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Three Headed Monsters Eddie Basden, right, shoots with Ghost Ballers player/captain Mike Bibby, left, defending during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
BIG3 League founder Ice Cube smiles at the debut of the BIG3 Basketball League, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ghost Ballers player/captain Mike Bibby, (10), left, knocks the ball from 3 Header Monsters Eddie Basden (13) during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Power Jerome Williams (13) shoots during the first half of Game 2 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Ghost Ballers Mo Evans (6) shoots with 3 Headed Monsters' Kwame Brown (54) defending during the first half Game 1 of the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
3's Company player/captain and coach Allen Iverson (3) goes up to shoot with Ball Hogs player/captain Brian Scalabrine (24) and player/co-captain Josh Childress watching from the floor during the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
Big3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube applauds the crowd during a timeout in the first half of Game 2 in the league's debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
BIG3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube, right, mouths out "Thank You" to the crowd who applauds him as he is announced during a timeout in the the first half of Game 3 of the league's debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
Mike Stobe, Getty Images
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf #13 of the 3 Headed Monsters is introduced during week one of the BIG3 three on three basketball league at Barclays Center on June 25, 2017 in New York City.
Al Bello, Getty Images
Jason Williams of the 3 Headed Monsters is helped off the floor after an injury in the game against the Ghost Ballers during week one of the BIG3 three on three basketball league at Barclays Center on June 25, 2017 in New York City.
Kathy Willens, The Associated Press
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3 Headed Monsters Jason Williams (55) drives up against Ghost Ballers Ivan Johnson (44) during the first half of Game 1 in the BIG3 Basketball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.
If the Big3 moves, it would go to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. That game is scheduled to begin in the afternoon and the fight is at night, and Big3 executives think the increased attention and all the celebrities the pay-per-view attraction will bring to the Strip will benefit the league of former NBA players as it wraps up its inaugural season.
“So it’s turned out to be an incredibly good thing and there’s a lot of people from both sides that are friends and we really are just trying to work out what’s best for both parties,” Big3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said. “It’s not a big deal because we have two amazing arenas.”