Jai Manselle Named Head of Digital Strategy for BIG3 League
By now, you have probably heard about the BIG3. It’s the new, 3-on-3 pro basketball league featuring only veteran NBA players like Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups and Jason Williams. The league (which was co-founded by Ice Cube) has been attracting major buzz and is shaping up to be one of the biggest sports stories of the year. Behind the scenes, BIG3 has now secured brand specialist Jai Manselle as its Head of Digital Strategy.
Sometimes called the “King of Branding,” 30-year-old Manselle becomes one of the youngest executives in professional sports with this announcement. He brings a wealth of experience to BIG3, previously working with clients like Sean “Diddy” Combs, MSN, NBA star Dwyane Wade, Grey Goose and the NBA Player’s Union.
The BIG3 has been receiving lots of attention since it’s announcement in January. Charles Barkley was even quoted saying that “the only bad thing about BIG3 is I’m too old and fat to play.” The league’s commissioner will be NBA Player’s Union Executive Director Roger Mason Jr. who officially resigned from his Union post to run the new league. The BIG3 season will last 10 weeks, starting after the completion of the NBA Finals, with games played in different arenas around the country.
“The BIG3 is extremely important to culture right now. Not only does it fill the summer sports drought, but it also fills a palpable need to see these guys lace up their sneakers and play again. The smaller teams create a much more intense, head to head type of competition. I can’t tell you how many fans have told me it feels like they are going to see that classic video game NBA JAM come to life” said Manselle when I spoke to him about his new position.
Manselle’s new role will oversee the branding, strategic and digital components of the league’s operation. His other venture, MANSELLE (bka Manselle Media), his branding firm that handles celebrity, fashion and sports clients, will continue to operate and lend assistance to the BIG3.
“The BIG3 isn’t a tournament. It isn’t a gimmick. It’s extremely important that we build something that is highly competitive, highly credible and that the fans can love for a very long time.” Manselle added “My job is ensuring that we are building something that fans can not only be excited about, but take pride in.”
The BIG3 begins its inaugural season on June 24th, 2017. So far, Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, Jason Williams, Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, Bonzi Wells, Jermaine O’Neal, Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, Ricky Davis and Al Harrington have signed to play with Hall of Famers Gary Payton and George Gervin signed as coaches.
