NBA TO RETURN TO CHINA

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes the league will eventually return to China, five years after a controversy over the Hong Kong democracy protests led to a backlash in the Chinese market.

 
In 2019, then-Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey posted a pro-Hong Kong message on social media, sparking outrage in China. As a result, China stopped broadcasting NBA games, and corporate sponsors pulled out, causing significant financial losses for the league.

Despite this, Silver reiterated that the NBA stands by its values, stating, «Anybody in our league has the right to speak out on political matters.» Chinese state broadcaster CCTV resumed airing NBA games in 2022, and tensions appeared to ease when All-Star Jimmy Butler toured China during the summer of 2023.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver arrives prior to the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While the NBA looks to expand globally, hosting preseason games in Abu Dhabi and regular-season games in Mexico City and Paris, it hasn’t escaped controversy. Many question the league’s presence in countries like Abu Dhabi, with histories of human rights violations. Meanwhile, Enes Kanter Freedom’s outspoken criticism of Iran’s human rights abuses effectively ended his NBA career.