NBA’s China Ties Under Scrutiny During Congressional Hearing
Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican representing Tennessee, recently engaged in a pointed exchange with Bill Koenig, a high-ranking executive from the National Basketball Association (NBA), regarding the league’s extensive relationship with China. This discussion took place during a broader congressional hearing focused on media rights, broadcasting practices, and streaming services across various professional sports leagues.
Blackburn’s line of questioning centered on the NBA’s dealings with China, a topic that has been the subject of considerable debate and criticism in recent years. She specifically targeted the league’s response to instances where individuals associated with the NBA expressed views that were critical of the Chinese government.
Blackburn initiated the discussion by framing the NBA’s relationship with China as one involving an "oppressive regime." She alluded to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) history of censorship and suggested that the NBA had cultivated a "cozy relationship" with the CCP.
The senator then turned to the 2019 incident involving Daryl Morey, who was then the general manager of the Houston Rockets. Morey posted a tweet expressing support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The tweet, which read "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong," triggered a swift and severe response from China.
Chinese state-run media channels suspended broadcasts of NBA games, and the league’s preseason games scheduled to be played in Shanghai were canceled. This suspension lasted for nearly a year before the NBA’s games were eventually reinstated on Chinese television during the 2020 NBA Finals.
Blackburn implied that the NBA had entered into some form of agreement or compromise with China to repair the relationship following the Morey incident. She pressed Koenig to disclose the details of this alleged deal, particularly the financial aspects.
Specifically, Blackburn inquired about the value of the NBA’s broadcast rights in China and the total amount of investments made by NBA owners in the Chinese market. Koenig, who serves as the NBA’s president of global content and media distribution, acknowledged the league’s long-standing presence in China, spanning over three decades.
However, he declined to provide specific financial figures, stating that the NBA does not publicly disclose the financial terms of its relationships, whether in the United States or abroad. Koenig did acknowledge that Morey’s tweet had led to a disruption in the league’s coverage by Chinese state media.
Blackburn countered by asserting that estimates suggest the NBA’s media rights in China are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and that NBA team owners have invested as much as $10 billion in China. She argued that transparency regarding these figures was essential.
The senator also raised concerns about the NBA’s treatment of individuals who have spoken out against human rights abuses in China. She specifically mentioned Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government’s human rights record.
Blackburn asked Koenig for a commitment that the NBA would uphold human rights, freedom of speech, and American ideals of freedom in all of its deals around the world. Koenig responded by emphasizing that freedom of speech is one of the NBA’s core values.
He pointed out that Daryl Morey was not disciplined or censored by the league for his tweet, despite the backlash from China. Koenig acknowledged that Morey’s comments may have resulted in a lack of coverage by Chinese media outlets, but he reiterated the NBA’s commitment to freedom of speech.
Despite Koenig’s assurances, Blackburn seemed skeptical, suggesting that the NBA’s financial interests in China may be influencing its stance on human rights and freedom of speech.
The hearing also touched on Commissioner Adam Silver’s statements regarding the NBA’s future plans in China. Silver has indicated that the league is open to playing games in China again at some point. He acknowledged that the Chinese government had removed the NBA from the airwaves for a period of time, but he maintained that the league stood by its values.
Silver also noted that the NBA experienced significant financial losses after its relationship with China soured, due to corporate sponsors withdrawing their support.
In 2022, an ESPN investigation revealed that NBA owners had invested a combined $10 billion in China, including investments by an owner whose company had a joint venture with an entity sanctioned by the U.S. government.
The exchange between Senator Blackburn and NBA executive Bill Koenig highlights the complex and often controversial relationship between the NBA and China. The league faces a delicate balancing act between its financial interests in the lucrative Chinese market and its commitment to upholding values such as freedom of speech and human rights.
The hearing underscores the growing scrutiny that professional sports leagues are facing regarding their international partnerships, particularly with countries that have questionable human rights records. As the NBA continues to navigate its relationship with China, it will likely face ongoing pressure to address concerns about human rights and freedom of expression.
