NBA sparks anger with apology to China

BY SYLVAN LANE – 10/07/19

The NBA is under fire from all sides after apologizing to China for a tweet from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey that showed solidarity with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Morey on Friday tweeted, “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong,” bringing a sharp rebuke from China, where several businesses and TV networks cut ties with the Rockets and blocked their games from Chinese viewers.

The NBA moved to contain the fallout, faced with the prospect of a serious setback to its work in China’s lucrative market. Morey deleted the tweet and expressed his regrets. The NBA also issued a statement Sunday apologizing for the tweet, and both Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and All-Star power forward James Harden distanced themselves from Morey.

Commissioner Adam Silver’s handling of the matter threatens to damage the reputation of the NBA, which has been seen as one of the more progressive sports leagues in the U.S.

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