![\"Image](\"http:\/\/d279m997dpfwgl.cloudfront.net\/wp\/2019\/10\/daryl-morey-1000x590.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBy: Patrick Macher<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On Friday, October 4, 2019, Daryl Morey, the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, tweeted his support for the Hong Kong protests with the words \u201cFight for Freedom, stand with Hong Kong.\u201d Within days, Morey was met with an unexpected backlash including the Consulate-General of the People\u2019s Republic of China in Houston denouncing the comments of Morey, the Chinese Basketball Association suspending all cooperation with the Rockets and the NBA releasing a statement characterizing Morey\u2019s tweet as regrettable.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since Adam Silver became NBA Commissioner in 2014, he has been renowned for his strong support of players and social justice. Silver\u2019s commitment to morality was demonstrated early in his career, when he banned Los Angeles Clipper\u2019s owner Donald Sterling. Sterling was banned from all NBA activities for his racially charged comments in a privately recorded conversation with his mistress.[2]<\/a>\u00a0 Silver continued to demonstrate his support for freedom of speech when Fox News Journalist Laura Ingraham advised Lebron James, one of the NBA\u2019s best and most outspoken players, to \u201cshut up and dribble,\u201d in response to his comments regarding politics and President Trump.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are many explanations that could be reasoned as to Adam Silver\u2019s fundamentally opposed handling of Lebron\u2019s freedom of public speech and the harsh punishment of Donald Sterling, compared to his denouncement of Morey\u2019s tweet. However, one reason stands out, conservatively estimated, the NBA generates about $500 million annually from the Chinese market.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In July, a popular media outlet, China\u2019s Tencent, signed a five-year, $1.5 billion deal to be the leagues exclusive online digital partner in China. Sports Business Journal <\/em>valued the NBA\u2019s business arm in China, NBA China<\/em>, at $5 billion. Beyond that, players and American brands are invested in the large Chinese market such as Stephen Curry with Under Armour and Lebron James with Nike. Both of which have formerly done annual tours on the Chinese markets in the NBA offseason.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n China has around 1.4 billion people, compared to the nearly 327 million in the United States. The NBA looks to the Chinese market as a major source of growth in the near future. However, the NBA has since felt significant economic effects of Morey\u2019s 33-character tweet.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n CCTV, the NBA\u2019s primary broadcasting partner and Tencent, the primary online partner, have suspended all streaming of NBA games. Sponsor Li-Ning suspended its sponsorship of the Houston Rockets. Houston Rocket\u2019s merchandise, a previously popular commodity due to the Hall-of-Fame career of China\u2019s Yao Ming, has since disappeared off of many shelves in Hong Kong sporting goods stores.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Daryl Morey did what millions of Americans do every day. Morey voiced his opinion over a social media platform with no expectation of the repercussions to come. Morey was exercising the right to freedom of speech but had failed to exercise caution. \u00a0Hours later, Morey faced denouncement of his tweet from an international embassy and a public reprimand from his bosses\u2019 boss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lawmakers from both parties criticized the NBA and the Rocket\u2019s lack of support for Daryl Morey\u2019s pro-democracy message.[8]<\/a> After an outpouring of American support for Morey and a backlash of anger towards the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver clarified that Morey\u2019s tweet was \u201cregrettable\u201d not because of the content, but because it upset the NBA\u2019s Chinese supporters.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whether or not you agree with Morey\u2019s tweet is a personal and political question. The law protects Morey\u2019s right to express his opinion on the platform of his choosing. However, the economy represents the ultimate equalizer. The NBA, the Houston Rockets and Daryl Morey have suffered significant financial losses from Morey\u2019s 33-character tweet. All three parties will \u201crebound,\u201d but the fiasco demonstrates the significant impact<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> See <\/em>Matthew Yglesias, The Raging Controversy Over the NBA, China, and the Hong Kong protests, explained<\/em>, Vox (Oct. 7, 2019) https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2019\/10\/7\/20902700\/daryl-morey-tweet-china-nba-hong-kong<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [2]<\/a> See <\/em>Mike Wise, Chief of America\u2019s Blackest League Talks About Race and Social Justice<\/em>, The Undefeated (Dec. 25, 2019) https:\/\/theundefeated.com\/features\/chief-of-americas-blackest-league-talks-about-race-and-social-justice-nba-adam-silver\/<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [3]<\/a> See <\/em>Emily Sullivan, Laura Ingraham Told Lebron James to Shut Up and Dribble; He Went to the Hoop<\/em>, The Two-Way (Feb. 19, 2018) https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/thetwo-way\/2018\/02\/19\/587097707\/laura-ingraham-told-lebron-james-to-shutup-and-dribble-he-went-to-the-hoop<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n [4]<\/a> See <\/em>Jeff Zillgitt & Mark Medina, An Impasse Over Pro-Hong Kong Tweet Simmer, What\u2019s at Stake for the NBA in China?<\/em>, Usa Today (Oct. 9, 2019) https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/2019\/10\/09\/nba-china-hong-kong-whats-at-stake\/3912447002\/<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n [5]<\/a> See id<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [6]<\/a> See <\/em>Michael McCann, Analyzing the Fallout Between the NBA and China After Daryl Morey\u2019s Tweet<\/em>, Sports Illustrated (Oct. 7, 2019)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [7]<\/a> See <\/em>Isabel Togoh, The Fallout from Daryl Morey\u2019s Pro-Hong Kong Tweet is Now a Very Expensive Problem for the NBA<\/em>, Forbes (Oct. 8, 2019) https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/isabeltogoh\/2019\/10\/08\/the-fallout-from-daryl-moreys-pro-hong-kong-tweet-is-now-a-very-expensive-problem-for-the-nba\/#1c3a35141c8b<\/p>\n <\/p>\n