Roger Mason Jr. Lawsuit vs. Ice Cube, BIG3 League Moved to Arbitration Case

Former NBA shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. and the BIG3 basketball league have agreed to seek an arbitration ruling in New York after a lawsuit was previously filed in Delaware.

TMZ Sports reported the update Tuesday based on a review of court records.

"We knew this was a cheap publicity stunt and pleased that BIG3 has been vindicated," BIG3 attorney Mark Geragos said.

Mason's lawyer, Robert Wolf, provided a statement to Bleacher Report after the initial report:

"BIG3's own lawyers agreed with Mr. Mason that it would be more efficient to have all of his Delaware lawsuit claims added to Roger's already pending New York arbitration against BIG3 and Jeff Kwatinetz for breach of contract and defamation.

"It is undisputed that Roger's entire case remains intact and will continue to move ahead with full force. If Mark Geragos considers this a victory, BIG3 must be pretty desperate. Better question is why hasn't BIG3 produced its books and records as required. Are they hiding something?"

Mason was fired from his position as commissioner with the league in March after it accused him of corruption involving Ayman Sabi and Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, Qatari investors who allegedly failed to follow through with expected financial support, per TMZ Sports.

BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube took over as commissioner on an interim basis until Clyde Drexler was appointed to the role.

In April, Rick Maese of the Washington Post reported Mason filed the lawsuit, which included allegations BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz made "horrible racist comments."

"Kwatinetz sought to make Mason the scapegoat for his own wrongdoing, outrageously blaming Mason for jeopardizing the league's financial success and ability to enter into professional relationships," the lawsuit said.

The inaugural BIG3 season finished last August with Trilogy being crowned champions after competing a perfect campaign.

Season 2 is scheduled to begin June 22 in Houston.