The NBA is reportedly taking another step towards distancing itself from China, with its latest move involving the league’s disassociation with a basketball academy in the Xinjiang province of China.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum recently sent out a letter clearing up the league’s non-involvement with the said academy. This was in response to questions raised by United States Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee pertaining to how the NBA continues to support the Xianjian basketball academy. The senator also described Xinjiang as “one of the world’s worst humanitarian zones”.
In his response letter, Tatum cleared up that the NBA has been long disconnected with the basketball camp in question.
“The NBA has had no involvement with the Xinjiang basketball academy for more than a year, and the relationship has been terminated,” wrote Tatum, via CBS News.
The NBA continues to hit back at China long after the communist nation cut ties with the league stemming from a tweet sent out by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong’s protests against China’s rule. The league stood by Morey’s right to speak his mind which didn’t help matters in smoothening the relationship with the nation.
The league lost millions of dollars because of this issue, but clearly, the NBA is putting higher regard on its dignity and reputation as opposed to the lost income brought about by this dispute. It would have made more sense financially if the league adhered to China’s demands (i.e., firing Morey), but it is apparent that the NBA has no intention of backing down.
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