Money & Politics: “A bad look” for the NBA in China Dispute

My love for politics and basketball rarely intersect, but on Oct. 4, that all changed. 

The general manager of the Houston Rockets sent out a tweet in support of the ongoing protests in Hong Kong that read: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” He was met by stark criticism from Chinese officials and threats from companies like Tencent that owns all the rights to NBA streaming services for China to cut ties with the Rockets and the rest of the league. 

Morey’s tweet was deleted, he and the team issued apologies, and the NBA delivered a complex, yet ambivalent statement. Although they showed support for players and employees right to freedom of speech, they also tried to stay on China’s good side by stating their respect for Chinese history and culture, and regret for offending their “friends and fans in China.”

For years, the NBA has been known as the world’s most forward-thinking professional sports league in terms of its politics and marketing. Basketball is trending to become not only the most popular sport in the United States, but has seen incredible expansion around the globe in terms of playing and watching the sport.

With this type of growth, like any corporation, comes billions of dollars and the purse strings that accompany so much capital. Even standing up for human rights comes with a price tag. According to the New York Times, the Rockets alone could stand to lose $25 million from Chinese boycotts. They have been the most popular team in China for years, dating back to the days of Yao Ming, who is now a chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association. 

In total, the NBA’s business in China is worth an estimated $4 billion and growing. 

On October 9, members of the United States Congress penned an open letter to the NBA’s commissioner, Adam Silver, calling for the league to suspend all relationships with China until "government-controlled broadcasters and government-controlled commercial sponsors end their boycott of the NBA activities and the selective treatment of the Houston Rockets.” 

But this did not happen. Fans at preseason games have had their “Free Hong Kong” signs taken away, reporters have had their questions dismissed on the topic and Silver was recently in China to plead his case and try to smooth things over with Chinese officials. 

More recently, several NBA players have come out saying they do not wish to pick a side in this conflict and we have seen apologies issued to China from the Rockets’ stars, James Harden and Russell Westbrook saying, “We apologize, we love China, we love playing here.” 

Outspoken coaches, Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, who have criticized the Trump administration on several occasions over the years, have tried to hold their tongue on the topic of China. 

This prompted an all too familiar Twitter attack from President Trump who said, "So funny to watch Steve Kerr grovel and pander when asked a simple question about China. He choked (sic), and looks weak and pathetic. Don't want him at the White House!" 

Although it was surprising not to see anyone stand up to China, it came as a shock to many, including myself, to hear LeBron James criticize Morey’s tweet by saying, “Yes, we all do have freedom of speech, but at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you're not thinking about others, and you're only thinking about yourself. And so many people could have been harmed, not only financially, but physically, emotionally, spiritually.” 

James has been the face of the NBA since he entered the league in 2003. He is not only known as the best basketball player on the planet, but also one of the league’s most outspoken and socially conscious leaders. 

For him to side with an authoritarian regime by calling Morey’s tweet selfish and uneducated while millions of protesters risk their lives in the name of freedom and democracy, is a bad look for the basketball star and undermines the NBA’s reputation as “the world’s wokest” sports league.

Despite the fact that there seems to be progress being made with Silver’s recent talks in China and Tencent quietly resuming live broadcasts of NBA games, the backlash has caused quite a stir over the past few weeks leading up to the start of the NBA season. 

Although China has taken a harsh stance on the issue, I predict that this conflict will be dealt with to the satisfaction of both parties. Not only does China make billions of dollars for the NBA, but over half a billion fans tune into the NBA each season from China, which means the government must appease their people. 

My guess is that China’s threats and boycotts will not last much longer to the great relief of players, coaches, managers and the hundreds of millions of fans around the world.

No matter what we do, money will always complicate politics, whether that be in the form of corporate campaign financing in our government that is authorized by Citizens United, or in the private sector where profits truly are the ultimate consideration.