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October 9, 2019

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CCTV drops plan to air NBA games as tweet row continues

Source: Agencies | 00:00 UTC+8 October 9, 2019 | Print Edition

CHINESE state television said yesterday it would not air NBA exhibition games this week after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver supported improper remarks made by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey over China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey apologized on Monday for any hurt caused by his remarks, which he quickly deleted over the weekend.

But sponsors and broadcasts in the world’s second-largest economy and an important National Basketball Association market were already affected.

“We strongly oppose Silver’s support of Morey on the basis of freedom of speech and we think any comments that challenge a country’s sovereignty and social stability is not within the scope of freedom of speech,” CCTV said yesterday, adding that it would review its relationship with the NBA.

Tech giant Tencent Holdings has exclusive Internet streaming rights in China, which media reports have said are worth about US$1.58 billion. It has said it would also stop showing the games.

The NBA issued a statement saying it regretted Morey’s remarks, drawing criticism from US lawmakers. But commissioner Adam Silver said it was not up to the NBA to regulate what players, employees and team owners said.

“I think as a values-based organization that I want to make it clear ... that Daryl Morey is supported in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression,” he told Kyodo news agency in Japan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang referred to criticism made by the Chinese Basketball Association, which he said made China’s position “very clear.”

“I suggest they pay attention to the reaction of the ordinary Chinese people,” Geng said. Exchanges and cooperation would not work if people failed to understand public opinion. China would take “firm and powerful measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security.”

The NBA’s regular season, to which CCTV owns exclusive Chinese broadcast rights, begins this month. The decision heaps pressure on the league.

The league has worked for years to cultivate the Chinese market and regularly plays exhibition games there. Its top stars, including Rockets guard James Harden, frequently visit to meet fans and take part in promotions with sponsors.

Tencent said in July that 490 million Chinese fans watched NBA programming on its platforms last season, up threefold since the 2014-2015 season.

A pre-season game between the Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers is scheduled for tomorrow in Shanghai, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday in Shenzhen. However, organizers canceled yesterday’s media event.

Several Chinese celebrities also announced they would not attend an NBA-organized “fans’ night” today.

“The motherland always stands above everything,” actor and singer Evan Li said.

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