This week, Houston Rockets owner Daryl Morey sparked an international controversy when he tweeted his support for the protests in Hong Kong. His words angered both Chinese officials and businesses, leading a number of companies and government organizations to suspend ties with the Rockets. The NBA tried to ease the situation by calling Morey’s comments “regrettable,” which then caused outrage among Americans. This short video explains how the NBA must walk a fine line between appealing to its core U.S. fanbase and China’s hundreds of millions of basketball fans.
Questions:
- Why is China such an important market for the NBA?
- What do you think the NBA should do to resolve this complicated situation?