China punishes NBA as crisis over democracy tweet deepens

[MenInG]

China on Tuesday pulled National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition games from television screens as the league faced an escalating punishment campaign in the lucrative Chinese market ignited by an American basketball executive's pro-democracy tweet.

However the NBA faced a counter-attack in the United States, where presidential candidates and influential senators accused it of kowtowing to authoritarian China.

The crisis erupted on Friday when Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for protesters in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city of Hong Kong who are demanding greater freedoms.

The NBA, seeking to balance its interests in the Chinese market against American free speech values, found itself being smashed by both sides in a reflection of the broader tensions between the global superpowers.

The league initially put out statements that senior US politicians slammed as bowing to China for financial reasons, while Rockets star guard James Harden apologised.

But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Monday insisted his organisation supported Morey's right to express his opinions.

The Chinese state-run broadcaster responded on Tuesday, announcing it had shelved plans to broadcast a pair of pre-season exhibition games to be held in China this week and was considering more punishments.

“We believe that any comments that challenge national sovereignty and social stability are not within the scope of freedom of speech,” China Central Television (CCTV) said on its social media account.

“To this end, CCTV's Sports Channel has decided to immediately suspend plans to broadcast the NBA preseason (China Games) and will immediately investigate all cooperation and communication involving the NBA.”

Also on Tuesday, several popular Chinese acting and singing stars said they would boycott the exhibition games — putting the Los Angeles Lakers against the Brooklyn Nets.

An associated hashtag, “Several stars quit NBA games”, was the most-discussed on China's leading social media platform Weibo on Tuesday morning, with more than 350 million “reads”.

Nets players, executives and NBA China officials were to appear at a publicity event at a Shanghai primary school on Tuesday afternoon, but the league abruptly cancelled it just two hours before it was to start, giving no explanation.

NBA representatives did not immediately respond to AFP queries about the cancellation or whether the games themselves — set for Thursday in Shanghai and Saturday in the southern city of Shenzhen near Hong Kong — would go ahead.

'Biggest lesson'
Meanwhile the Global Times, a nationalist paper known for communicating the ruling Communist Party's attitudes to the world, issued a blunt warning to global firms that speaking out on human rights and other sensitive issues would cost them market access.

“The problem is that Morey's freedom is at the expense of (the) Rockets' huge commercial interests, which the team is unwilling to give up. It's a paradox with which Americans are grappling,” the editorial said.

“The biggest lesson which can be drawn from the matter is that entities that value commercial interests must make their members speak cautiously.”

In his first public comments on the controversy, Silver late on Monday spoke in support of freedom of expression. “I think as a values-based organisation that I want to make it clear... that Daryl Morey is supported in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression,” Silver told Japan's Kyodo News agency.

“There are the values that have been part of this league from its earliest days, and that includes free expression,” he added, speaking in Japan, where the Rockets and Toronto Raptors play several exhibition games this week.

However the NBA's initial statement in English on the furore said it was “regrettable” that Morey's views had “offended so many of our friends and fans in China”.

A Chinese-language version of the statement went further, saying the organisation was “deeply disappointed by the inappropriate remarks”.

In the United States, Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a Texan, deemed the NBA's initial statements an “embarrassment.”

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, also accused the NBA of throwing Morey “under the bus” to “protect (the) NBA's market access in China”.

“This is bigger than just the @NBA. It's about #China's growing ability to restrict freedom of expression here in the US,” he added in a series of tweets.

And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, warned “no one should implement a gag rule on Americans speaking out for freedom”.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1509724/china-punishes-nba-as-crisis-over-democracy-tweet-deepens

 

[rhony]

The Chinese reaction is as expected. They consider every criticism a national shame.

 

[JaDed]

They just lost on the most lucrative market outside states, wonder how European football clubs would respond now lol.

 

[Amit2]

They just lost on the most lucrative market outside states, wonder how European football clubs would respond now lol.

I think still they prefer US market to Chinese market.

 

[Bewal Express]

The Chinese reaction is as expected. They consider every criticism a national shame.

Ask Ind critics of the Fascist Modi of what their families have been threatened with when they criticise the Fascist and his policies.

 

[rhony]

I think still they prefer US market to Chinese market.

They already have US market. It's about growth. Chinese love basketball and are a huge market. Especially Rockets which was home to Yao for years. They feel betrayed

 

[rhony]

Ask Ind critics of the Fascist Modi of what their families have been threatened with when they criticise the Fascist and his policies.

Big babies. It's the curse of Asia in general. One could say it's about emotional maturity. Will take decades for the national psyche to develop a thick skin. It's related to inferiority complex and the constant need to be validated. Especially the case with developing economies which are trying to prove hard that they belong

 

[Amit2]

They already have US market. It's about growth. Chinese love basketball and are a huge market. Especially Rockets which was home to Yao for years. They feel betrayed

But if they gag their players and officals from speaking about HK it will have repucursions at home I guess.

 

[JaDed]

Ask Ind critics of the Fascist Modi of what their families have been threatened with when they criticise the Fascist and his policies.

Kamal Hassan?

 

[JaDed]

Ask Ind critics of the Fascist Modi of what their families have been threatened with when they criticise the Fascist and his policies.

Even Chinese won’t defend themselves as much as Pak posters do.

 

[rhony]

But if they gag their players and officals from speaking about HK it will have repucursions at home I guess.

Tbh, regular people don't care about HK or any other country as a matter of fact. Americans are capitalists. They will include a Chinese part in the Martian movie just to sell the movie in China. Logic be damned. It's all about money. I think they shot their foot with this.

 

[JaDed]

I think still they prefer US market to Chinese market.

What has US market got to do with this? Should they wear armbands too?

Americans shouldn’t talk about democracy anymore it doesn’t suit them, they are about making money, they should and keep themselves no.1 and influential with their sports and entertainment.

 

[Amit2]

Tbh, regular people don't care about HK or any other country as a matter of fact. Americans are capitalists. They will include a Chinese part in the Martian movie just to sell the movie in China. Logic be damned. It's all about money. I think they shot their foot with this.

I don't think so. They would get a lot of criticism from American politicians. Even in US I don't think falling out with politicians is good. Even google withdrew from building products with censorship from China due to criticism.

 

[Mamoon]

Interesting how we rush to the defense of our Chinese masters.

 

[Amit2]

What has US market got to do with this? Should they wear armbands too?

Americans shouldn’t talk about democracy anymore it doesn’t suit them, they are about making money, they should and keep themselves no.1 and influential with their sports and entertainment.

Freedom of speech is an important right in US. Gagging Americans to say something won't be looked at positivly in US. It will be china enforcing it's rules in US.

 

[rhony]

I don't think so. They would get a lot of criticism from American politicians. Even in US I don't think falling out with politicians is good. Even google withdrew from building products with censorship from China due to criticism.

Politicians will talk and nobody cares about it too. Google withdrew because they rejected US defence contracts but were indirectly helping Chinese military with their tech in China. That is not acceptable ofcourse and hence the uproar. As long as it doesn't harm American interests and their national security, Americans don't care. Especially HK which is a nothing issue. Tell a bunch of average Americans that China is killing a bunch of christians in Kashmir and they will say "too bad" and move on. That's how the general interest and knowledge is with geo political that doesn't affect US.

 

[JaDed]

Freedom of speech is an important right in US. Gagging Americans to say something won't be looked at positivly in US. It will be china enforcing it's rules in US.

Er yeah , but the point is Freedom of speech took a massive hit on NFL with kneel down, its subjective.

Business is business, if America wants to be no.1 it needs to be ok doing business with the dragon which is a huge market, this fake protests don’t really matter..

 

[Amit2]

Politicians will talk and nobody cares about it too. Google withdrew because they rejected US defence contracts but were indirectly helping Chinese military with their tech in China. That is not acceptable ofcourse and hence the uproar. As long as it doesn't harm American interests and their national security, Americans don't care. Especially HK which is a nothing issue. Tell a bunch of average Americans that China is killing a bunch of christians in Kashmir and they will say "too bad" and move on. That's how the general interest and knowledge is with geo political that doesn't affect US.

But China is now considered a potential enemy who is out to undermine US dominance. China is fast becoming the new soviet to US. If US didn't care for the Soviet market why should it care for Chinese market.

 

[Amit2]

Er yeah , but the point is Freedom of speech took a massive hit on NFL with kneel down, its subjective.

Business is business, if America wants to be no.1 it needs to be ok doing business with the dragon which is a huge market, this fake protests don’t really matter..

China is out to undermine US dominance I'm the world. That's a bigger concern for US than Chinese market.

 

[rhony]

But China is now considered a potential enemy who is out to undermine US dominance. China is fast becoming the new soviet to US. If US didn't care for the Soviet market why should it care for Chinese market.

China is considered an enemy but Americans still want to sell their goods to the Chinese. It is a yuuuge market and Trump's complaint was there was a trade imbalance. Chinese are selling more to the Americans than vice versa and hence the tarriff and trade war. World is run by trade and not ideals. There is no better seller than Americans.

 

[JaDed]

China is out to undermine US dominance I'm the world. That's a bigger concern for US than Chinese market.

Chinese have zero soft power, Americans have massive soft power , NBA and Hong Kong issue have nothing to do with American-Chinese trade war , Americans can keep influencing Hong Kong protests without hurting their business other interests in Mainland China incl Trade War.

 

[Amit2]

Chinese have zero soft power, Americans have massive soft power , NBA and Hong Kong issue have nothing to do with American-Chinese trade war , Americans can keep influencing Hong Kong protests without hurting their business other interests in Mainland China incl Trade War.

US soft power comes from values it promotes. Without the values it will become like China.

 

[JaDed]

US soft power comes from values it promotes. Without the values it will become like China.

Yeah I’m not that naive to praise US values that it ‘promotes’ unless you are talking about ‘winning’?

 

[Amit2]

China is considered an enemy but Americans still want to sell their goods to the Chinese. It is a yuuuge market and Trump's complaint was there was a trade imbalance. Chinese are selling more to the Americans than vice versa and hence the tarriff and trade war. World is run by trade and not ideals. There is no better seller than Americans.

But China should bend, why should US bend. How does it matter what some person in US says. If US keeps bending China will become more and more emboldened.

 

[rhony]

US soft power comes from values it promotes. Without the values it will become like China.

True but their values might not be appreciated everywhere as you saw in Afg. The war on terror for democracy failed in the middle East and Afg. Mean while every eatery will sell coke and Pepsi in these countries. The people use Google and will buy iPhones, eat McDonalds, wear fake Nike shirts. The point is business is always kept separate to US's values and rhetoric. The goal of capitalism is to earn as much money as Possible. The definition of capitalism is the Economic system run by private owners for profit rather than the government. Both are different entities and hence the Houston GM made a mistake considering the Chinese are big babies with a huge market.

 

[Amit2]

True but their values might not be appreciated everywhere as you saw in Afg. The war on terror for democracy failed in the middle East and Afg. Mean while every eatery will sell coke and Pepsi in these countries. The people use Google and will buy iPhones, eat McDonalds, wear fake Nike shirts. The point is business is always kept separate to US's values and rhetoric. The goal of capitalism is to earn as much money as Possible. The definition of capitalism is the Economic system run by private owners for profit rather than the government. Both are different entities and hence the Houston GM made a mistake considering the Chinese are big babies with a huge market.

The Huston GM may have made a mistake. But Americans can't appear to be bending to China. They can't gag people because China wants. If China blocks NBA US can retaliate in kind.

 

[Birdman]

Unlike some countries who show selective outrage over the treatment of Muslims, US blacklisted 28 Chinese companies today for violating human rights of Uighur Muslims. Couple weeks ago, Chinese foreign minister stated terrorism as the reason for arresting and sending the Uighurs to camps.

Thanks to US for calling out China on it's treatment of descendants.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/7641...lim-detainees-to-formal-prisons-relatives-say

 

[AdamM97]

Unlike some countries who show selective outrage over the treatment of Muslims, US blacklisted 28 Chinese companies today for violating human rights of Uighur Muslims. Couple weeks ago, Chinese foreign minister stated terrorism as the reason for arresting and sending the Uighurs to camps.

Thanks to US for calling out China on it's treatment of descendants.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/7641...lim-detainees-to-formal-prisons-relatives-say

You don’t think the US engages in selective outrage?

Nonetheless, a great move.

 

[Amit2]

Unlike some countries who show selective outrage over the treatment of Muslims, US blacklisted 28 Chinese companies today for violating human rights of Uighur Muslims. Couple weeks ago, Chinese foreign minister stated terrorism as the reason for arresting and sending the Uighurs to camps.

Thanks to US for calling out China on it's treatment of descendants.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/7641...lim-detainees-to-formal-prisons-relatives-say

What the Chinese are doing in Xinjiang is horrifying. The silence of the Muslim world is astonishing.

 

[JaDed]

The Huston GM may have made a mistake. But Americans can't appear to be bending to China. They can't gag people because China wants. If China blocks NBA US can retaliate in kind.

That we can agree on.. but US has done nothing when giants like FB , Google havent been allowed into China

 

[Amit2]

That we can agree on.. but US has done nothing when giants like FB , Google havent been allowed into China

That's what I saying. US has been bending a lot, China is getting more and more emboldened. This is bad policy if US wants to maintain it's dominance. It's short term thinking.

 

[Birdman]

What the Chinese are doing in Xinjiang is horrifying. The silence of the Muslim world is astonishing.

We only hear about Uighurs, no one talks about the plight of Hui Muslims.
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/26/7633...xt-xinjiang-chinas-hui-muslims-face-crackdown

 

[faraz39]

You don’t think the US engages in selective outrage?

Nonetheless, a great move.

No one is more selective than the US in outrage. It will stand up for HK protesters because it hurts China but not for Egypt protestors (or any Gulf country) because that hurts the US. Anyone who thinks US has a principle based foreign policy is incredibly naive.

 

[Muddaser]

Interesting how we rush to the defense of our Chinese masters.

Speak for yourself.

You should see how fast you are to defend India.

 

[Muddaser]

Love the concern being shown by Indians and Americans.

We all know why.

 

[Bewal Express]

Kamal Hassan?

What about him? Exceptions and rules, Ask any critic of Modi and he will tell you.

 

[JaDed]

What about him? Exceptions and rules, Ask any critic of Modi and he will tell you.

Ok you must know better..

 

[Bewal Express]

Ok you must know better..

And it took you so long to realise.

 

[MenInG]

The US National Basketball Association (NBA) has defended free speech amid a row with China over a team executive's tweet in support of Hong Kong protests.

The tweet posted by Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, caused uproar in China and his attempt to backtrack upset American fans.

But NBA boss Adam Silver defended Mr Morey and said the league would "support freedom of expression".

NBA games draw huge viewership in China, mainly via streaming platforms.

The Rockets have been popular there since the team signed Chinese star Yao Ming in 2002. Mr Yao now heads the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

But Mr Morey's tweet prompted a furious backlash in China, with broadcasters vowing to stop airing Rockets games.

They went further on Tuesday by scrapping plans to broadcast two NBA pre-season games being played in China.

The NBA is just the latest international business to be embroiled in controversy in both China and the US over the Hong Kong protests. But the organisation's strong defence of freedom of expression is unusual.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49979057

 

[MenInG]

The US National Basketball Association has suffered "substantial" losses after an online comment from a team executive prompted a crisis in its relations with China, the NBA's head has said.

"The financial consequences have been, and may continue to be, fairly dramatic," Adam Silver said.

Earlier this month Houston Rockets' manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

As a result Chinese firms suspended sponsorship and telecast deals.

The state-run broadcaster CCTV and Tencent Holdings, which streams NBA games in China, said they would stop broadcasting Rockets' matches.

The Chinese Basketball Association suspended co-operation with the Houston Rockets, as did Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning, and the club's sponsor in China, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

Mr Silver said: "The losses have already been substantial.

"Our games are not back on the air in China as we speak, and we'll see what happens next," he told Time magazine's Time 100 Health Summit in New York.

The NBA is hugely popular in China with around 800 million fans supporting millions of dollars of business.

Basketball in China
Basketball is the most popular sport in China with 300 million people playing the game. according to the NBA.

The NBA has had a presence in China since 1992 when it opened its first office in Hong Kong.

The Houston Rockets are widely followed in China after it signed Chinese player and eight-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming in 2002.

NBA China, which conducts the league's business in the country, was launched in 2008 and is now worth more than $4bn, according to Forbes.

Mr Morey's tweet captioned "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong", prompted a furious backlash in China and Mr Silver said the Chinese government had called for Mr Morey to be sacked. But Mr Silver has defended his right to express his opinion.

"We were being asked to fire him by the Chinese government, by the parties we dealt with, government and business," Silver said. "We said there's no chance that's happening. There's no chance we'll even discipline him."

"The values of the NBA - the American values, we are an American business - travel with us wherever we go. And one of those values is free expression."

Mr Silver said he understood the point of view that the NBA should withdraw from all activities in China, due to authoritarian nature of the regime but said the NBA felt that "constructive engagement, especially in sports, is very positive".

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50091931

 

[Danyaalr01]

Why are people defending China, India, USA etc. China is oppressing the people of Hong Kong and Uygher muslims, they should be criticised.

Modi's India is opressing Kashmiris, they should be criticised too. USA are putting Migrant children into cages, they should be criticised.

Israel oppresses Palestinians, they should be criticised. Saudi Arabia are bombing and oppressing Yemenis, they should be criticised.

If Pakistan were oppressing anyone, then they should be criticised. If any one is taking the rights of someone away and oppressing them then they should be criticised and action should be taken. Why would you defend them.

 

[Bhaijaan]

The Chinese reaction is as expected. They consider every criticism a national shame.

They just lost on the most lucrative market outside states, wonder how European football clubs would respond now lol.

A lot for India to learn.

As we become.a super power, we must know when to hurt people who annoy us.

 

[Gilly]

A lot for India to learn.

As we become.a super power, we must know when to hurt people who annoy us.

Is that what Hinduism is all about then?.

 

[Bhaijaan]

The Chinese reaction is as expected. They consider every criticism a national shame.

Is that what Hinduism is all about then?.

Hinduism is about peace but when you face hostility and injustice even Goddess turns into war mode.

Please read about Maa Kaaali, Maa Durga

 

[pakistani pride]

Interesting how we rush to the defense of our Chinese masters.

Same as you do with your Indian masters.
People can defend what ever they want to defend.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Chinese have zero soft power, Americans have massive soft power , NBA and Hong Kong issue have nothing to do with American-Chinese trade war , Americans can keep influencing Hong Kong protests without hurting their business other interests in Mainland China incl Trade War.

Do you really think America will let China dictate what an American citizen says?

Its one thing if the US govt had said and China had protested. This is just one individual.

What will China do if US starts restricting Chinese stuff? See what has happened to Huawei. US and its allies control world economy, Chinese dont.

 

[AdamM97]

A lot for India to learn.

As we become.a super power, we must know when to hurt people who annoy us.

I hope this is a joke.

 

[AdamM97]

https://www.google.se/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-50091931

So NBA is suffering ’substansial’ losses over its tweet.

Not sure why the Houston Rockets’ manager would tweet in support of pro-Hong Kong protesters when he knows how much revenue NBA gets because of China.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Do you really think America will let China dictate what an American citizen says?

Its one thing if the US govt had said and China had protested. This is just one individual.

What will China do if US starts restricting Chinese stuff? See what has happened to Huawei.



US and its allies control world economy, Chinese dont.

EU ain't USA ally no more. Americans wanted to iSoLaTe Iran but EU politely shoved Americans aside.

You know anything about Chinese / USA debt situation/ratio? (Not a rhetorical question).

Chinese literally make 99% of devices we use to comment on PP

As a neutral, I'd rather China and USA keep each other in check. No one should have "complete" power.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

PS: we can criticize USA, call their president an idiot (which he is), call them killers (Korean/Vietnam/Iraq/Afghanistan invasion etc etc), they killed so many democratically elected leaders all around the world and literally started Taliban/Al Qaeda movement etc.

Now, can we openly criticize China? Can we point out their atrocities?

 

[Pete Rose]

At its core it’s a simple issue:
Woke NBA players and coaches have plenty to say about the US but are mute and docile about China
NFL owners and some of the White players feel they represent America more and overlook the country’s dismal inequality on race, gender, and economics.
Conservatives usually follow NFL but not som much the NBA.
This issue offers a rare instance for the not woke NFL to clap back against woke NBA

 

[mmkextreme_1]

A lot for India to learn.

As we become.a super power, we must know when to hurt people who annoy us.

WTH ) )

I really hope you were being sarcastic there.

 

[sweep_shot]

US Vice-President Mike Pence has criticised the US National Basketball Association (NBA) in a speech attacking Chinese diplomatic and trade policies.

Mr Pence accused both the NBA and the sports equipment firm Nike of "kowtowing" to Beijing and "muzzling" criticism of China.

It comes in the wake of a diplomatic row over an NBA team manager's support for anti-Beijing protests in Hong Kong.

He also said Chinese policy was growing "more aggressive and destabilising".

In the speech in Washington DC, the vice-president said: "In siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime."

The China-NBA row began early this month with a tweet - since deleted - by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressing support for the Hong Kong protesters.

It sparked furious reactions in China, where the NBA has a mass following that provides substantial revenue. NBA products were taken off shelves and games were boycotted by Chinese state TV.

The NBA released two statements on the tweet - the first one distancing itself from Mr Morey - turning a Chinese backlash into an American backlash as well.

What did Mr Pence say?
In his remarks, Mr Pence accused the Chinese government of trying to "influence the public debate here in America" by "trying to export censorship".

He also accused Beijing of "exploiting corporate greed" of American companies hoping to do business in China.

"Nike promotes itself as a so called 'social-justice champion,' but when it comes to Hong Kong, it prefers checking its social conscience at the door," he said.

"Nike stores in China actually removed their Houston Rockets merchandise from their shelves to join the Chinese government in protest against the Rockets general manager's seven-word tweet: 'Fight for Freedom, stand with Hong Kong.'"

Some of the NBA's biggest players and owners who routinely exercise their freedom to criticise this country are silent on other people's rights, he said.

President Donald Trump and his administration have previously criticised Nike over its decision to support Colin Kaepernick, an American football player who controversially knelt as the US national anthem was played ahead of NFL games.

"In siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime," said Mr Pence.

Mr Pence also called on the country to show more respect for the rights of its minority citizens.

The speech comes after Congress voted on laws to support Hong Kong protesters. Beijing has indicated "strong countermeasures" if the White House allows the bill to become law.

The remarks come amid efforts by the US and China to end their trade war.

In his speech, Mr Pence said the US was "not seeking to contain China's development".

"We want a constructive relationship with China's leaders," he added.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50171698.

 

[The Viper]

China's CCTV to continue to shun NBA games: state media

China Central Television (CCTV) will continue to not show National Basketball Association (NBA) games in the country, state media outlet Global Times has said, citing a statement from the state broadcaster.

CCTV, which holds exclusive TV rights for the NBA, has not aired any of the popular league’s games since a Houston Rockets executive tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters last year.

"China Central Television refutes rumours that it would restore streaming NBA games, reiterating its consistent stance on national sovereignty," the Global Times said on Twitter here

“CCTV suspended streaming NBA games in Oct. 2019 after Houston Rockets Daryl Morey’s tweet in support of Hong Kong rioters.”

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey had tweeted in support of the protests in Hong Kong, a Chinese-ruled city embroiled in a political crisis due to months of anti-government protests stemming from a controversial extradition bill.

State media, including CCTV, criticised Morey for his tweet, which was labelled an example of Western interference in a bid to foment unrest and stir up anti-China sentiment, while Chinese partners severed or suspended ties with the NBA.

Speculation that CCTV would start showing NBA games again grew on Monday after the NBA’s China business named sports management veteran Michael Ma as its chief executive officer.

Ma’s father, Ma Guoli, is one of CCTV’s founders and is credited with the network acquiring rights to broadcast NBA games in China in the 1990s.

On Tuesday, Ma Guoli resigned from his position as an adviser to the Chinese Basketball Association.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...e-to-shun-nba-games-state-media-idUSKBN22O32H