The tension between the NBA and the Chinese government in the wake of Rockets executive Daryl Morey tweeting his support for Hong Kong protests is somehow still escalating.
Today’s game between the Lakers and the Nets in Shanghai is being played as scheduled, though with a few significant changes. For one, there are no sponsors on the court, as noted by ESPN’s Rachel Nichols:
No corporate logos on the floor tonight – I’m told that after several sponsors pulled out, workers had to re-sand the floors because the original logos had been painted on. pic.twitter.com/OTshOMFqlF
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 10, 2019
Marc Stein posited a theory that it was an intimidation tactic by the Chinese government:
One theory in circulation: China allowed the game to go ahead in part because they wanted the NBA to see what a sponsorless game (with money withheld) looks and feels like https://t.co/Rorwi8tp4X
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 10, 2019
Meanwhile, China is doing everything possible to avoid NBA stars answering questions on, well, anything, by outright canceling all media availability.
An unprecedented development from Shanghai: There will be no media availability of any kind during or after today's game between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. This is the latest mandate from the Chinese government in wake of Daryl Morey's tweet supporting Hong Kong.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) October 10, 2019
A typical NBA game features pre-game press conference with both coaches and half an hour of open locker room time. In China, the league was to hold postgame press conferences with players and coaches.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) October 10, 2019
It’s a mixture of ironic and terrifying. China is responding to criticism that they use censorship and intimidation to control free speech by doing just that. Meanwhile, it’s very clear they can do that, and if they’re willing to go this far with basketball players, it’s scary to think how far they’re going to go with citizen protesters.