[#NBA Tweeter Backslash on Rockets GM Daryl Morey for Standing with Democracy and Hong Kong, Updated on 09-Oct]

Official statement released by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Supporting the Freedom of Speech of NBA Upset CCTV and Chinese fans

1) Eurostep and then Step-back taken by Rockets and Adidas star James Harden
James Harden, superstar at Houston Rockets took an Euro Step in the NBA US-China Relations. He apologized to Chinese fans and said "We Love China" two days ago but he then step back to say "I am here for Adam Silver" to show support to the freedom of speech today.

07-Oct Video Clip:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/sports/basketball/100000006755297/james-harden-china-apology.html
09-Oct Video Clip:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/sports/i-am-here-for-adam-silver-rockets-harden/vi-AAIuzY1

2) The Philadelphia 76ers fan ejected from game after shouting "Free Hong Kong"
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/national-basketball-association/nba-china-hong-kong-philadelphia-sixers-76-ers-daryl-morey-houston-rockets-a9148721.html

Video: https://twitter.com/YAAS_America/status/1181791899889405952?s=19

3) All NBA official Chinese partners have suspended ties with the league:
Chinese companies halted businesses with NBA, including:
1) CTrip (CTRP), China's biggest online travel website,
2) Dicos, Chinese fast-food chain,
3) Changhong Electric, a major home appliance group
4) China Mobile subsidiary Migu
5) Master Kong
6) eHi Car Services
7) Meiling
8) Xiaoying Technology
9) Luckin Coffee
10) Tencent
11) Vivo, even joint venture Dongfeng Nissan distance itself away from the firestorm.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/09/business/nba-china-partners/index.html

#english #英文 #NBA #blizzard #southpark #disney

#english #英文 #NBA

#ESPN Reporter Responds “Fuck You” to Criticism from Republican Senator Who Supports Hong Kong, Facing One-Week Suspension at the Least
 
Another political dispute arose in the NBA as ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski was suspended for at least a week following his “Fuck You” response to Republican Senator Josh Hawley’s statement, which criticised NBA’s pro-China stance.  Some prominent NBA players had initiated a #FreeWOJ campaign on Twitter in support of Wojnarowski.
 
A supporter of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, Republican Senator Josh Hawley released a statement titled “Senator Hawley Blasts NBA for Kowtowing to Beijing & Refusing to Support US Military and Law Enforcement”, which linked to the Senator’s letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  The statement asked that since NBA planned to display messages supporting Black Lives Matter on their jerseys, it should also allow players to express support for the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, their views on the human rights issues in Xinjiang, as well as support for US military and police officers.
 
ESPN’s well known NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski at once responded “Fuck You” to Hawley through his work email.  The Hawley office took a screenshot of the email and wrote on Twitter, “Don’t criticize #China or express support for law enforcement to @espn. It makes them real mad”.  Wojnarowski apologised subsequently, while ESPN released a statement calling his behaviour “unacceptable” and stating that it would address the issue with him.
 
On Sunday, Hawley wrote on Twitter that ESPN should not suspend the reporter, but should “ask tough questions” about NBA’s relationship with China.  He also requested to meet with ESPN CEO Jimmy Pitaro.  Meanwhile, LeBron James and a number of NBA stars had initiated a #FreeWOJ campaign on Twitter in support of Wojnarowski.  Details of Wojnarowski’s suspension are unclear as of now.
 
Editor’s Note:  As of July 15th, Wojnarowski is reportedly being suspended without pay for 2 weeks according to various US media outlets.
 
Source: Stand News  #Jul13
#US #JoshHawley #NBA

#Kowtow
China's CCTV said the NBA continued to Release Goodwill after the Suspension, Rebroadcasting from Tomorrow

NBA Team Houston Rockets Director Daryl Morey supported Hong Kong democracy on Twitter, causing dissatisfaction from China. At that time, CCTV announced that they would stop broadcasting events and “would investigate all cooperation and exchanges involving the NBA”. After a year, CCTV indicated today that they would rebroadcast NBA from tomorrow (10th October). The spokesperson stated that he noted NBA continued to show their goodwill, including “expressed holiday blessings to Chinese fans” on National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival and “Put active efforts in areas including supporting the Chinese people to fight COVID-19 pandemic”.

CCTV stated today (9th October), “Basketball has a broad mass base and viewing demand in China”. As a result, the CCTV Sports Channel would resume broadcasting the NBA competitions as “normal broadcast arrangement” on the morning of 10th October, Hong Kong time. The NBA 19/20 season has reached the finals, and it would be the fifth game by the time of rebroadcasting. For the time being, Los Angeles Lakers led the Miami Heat with 3:1 games, only one victory away from the championship.

The NBA team Houston Rockets Director Daryl Morey posted a “Stand with Hong Kong” photo on Twitter, indicating his support for Hong Kong democracy. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver showed his support for Morey to exercise freedom of speech. CCTV first announced the suspension on broadcasting the competitions of Houston Rockets, then issued a statement about the immediate ban for NBA preseason broadcasting and would investigate all NBA-related cooperation and exchanges.

Source: Stand News #Oct09

https://bit.ly/37f45KR

#China #NBA #DarylMorey #HoustonRockets #LosAngelesLakers #MiamiHeat #CCTV #HongKong #HKdemocracy #StandWithHongKong