Hip hop stars LL Cool J, Ice Cube trying to buy sports TV stations

Along with music, entertainment, and endorsements, hip hop legends LL Cool J and Ice Cube may be branching out even further. A new report indicates the two celebrities are trying to buy up a number of available TV sports channels.

A report via TMZ suggests that LL and Cube are part of a “powerful group” that is trying to get bids on “22 regional sports channels.” Reportedly, Disney is behind the available sports stations after their 21st Century Fox deal. Since they already own ESPN, the Justice Department has forced the media giant to sell off Fox sports stations. That means that some of the available stations include Fox Sports stations in Arizona, Detroit, and San Diego, as well as the YES Network.

That latter of those stations could be a nice acquisition for whomever might get it. YES currently broadcasts all of the New York Yankees games. Estimates from Disney are that the network is valued anywhere from $5 to $6 billion. However, the package of the 22 sports channels up for bid is estimated at somewhere from $15 to $25 million.

Interestingly, Ice Cube is part of the team behind the recently-launched BIG 3 basketball league. Games are televised on FOX Sports network during the short season which takes place over the summer months. It’s possible that Cube is looking to expand the league somehow with this deal or simply add to his portfolio.

In addition to their extensive catalog of hip hop hits over the years, both LL and Cube have been involved in acting. LL Cool J, real name James Todd Smith, has been a main part of the “NCIS: Los Angeles” cast since its first season. Ice Cube, real name O’Shea Jackson, debuted in 1991’s “Boyz N The Hood.” Since then, he’s starred in a number of successful films including the “Friday” and “Barbershop” movies. He’s expected to return to his role as Craig Jones for “Last Friday” with a release date pending.

The TMZ report goes on to mention that the first bids on all of the available sports TV channels are due on November 8. Billionaire Carolyn Rafaelian, who is the founder of Alex and Ani jewelry, is said to be part of the group working with Ice Cube and LL Cool J to acquire the stations. Other potential bidders may include the Apollo Global Management and Blackstone Group as well as Sinclair Broadcast Group, so it could be an interesting battle to see who comes away with the lucrative sports stations.