Joe Tsai, the owner of the Brooklyn Nets and co-founder/chairman of Alibaba, believes that the NBA is in a good position to resume its relationship with China. Tsai, who was born in Taiwan, has been influential in the NBA’s dealings with China. The NBA faced significant challenges in China after a controversial tweet by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in 2019. In the tweet, Morey expressed support for pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong, leading to backlash from Chinese authorities.
10/04/2023 Nicole on Winn Tucson China Watch: The CCP sanctioned the NBA back in 2019 after Rocket’s General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for pro democracy protesters in Hong Kong, costing the NBA hundreds of millions of dollars. Subsequently, the NBA chose to succumb to… pic.twitter.com/bIoM48Z6CP
— 西喜🇪🇸江南春雨 (@jiangnanchun777) October 7, 2023
Even the NBA’s official statement “We have great respect for the history and culture of China and hope that sports and the NBA can be used as a unifying force to bridge cultural divides and bring people together,” could not save the fallout between NBA and China. The fallout resulted in the loss of the NBA’s biggest fan base, as China is home to around 300 million NBA fans. The league also suffered financial losses estimated at $400 million in 2021, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
So what happened before, I think it’s water under the bridge.” – Joe Tsai believes China is over Daryl Moore’s comments
Joe Tsai, in an interview at the GBA International Sports Business Summit in Macau, stated that the NBA is now in a “very good place” with China. He mentioned that China is the NBA’s biggest fan base, and the league is interested in resuming games in China and Macau. He believes the incident is long forgiven and swept under the carpet as he commented “China is actually the NBA’s biggest fan base. So what happened before, I think it’s water under the bridge.” Tsai emphasized the importance of fans having real, in-person interactions with NBA stars to strengthen the relationship.
Hopeful
NBA's Exciting Return to China: Preseason Games and Cultural Exchange!https://t.co/W07xdoEVQ9
— Eloise Ellis (@EllisElois97776) February 25, 2024
The Nets, owned by Joe Tsai, were the most recent NBA team to play in China in 2019. However, their games against the Los Angeles Lakers were overshadowed by Morey’s tweet, resulting in the NBA being pulled off state-sponsored CCTV for nearly two years. Tsai, being heavily involved in the situation, provided the only on-record comments during the international incident.
Joe Tsai‘s optimism suggests an improvement in relations and a willingness from the NBA to mend ties with China. The league, understanding the significance of its Chinese fan base, appears to be eager to rebuild the relationship.
