This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49956385
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Daryl Morey backtracks after Hong Kong tweet causes Chinese backlash | Daryl Morey backtracks after Hong Kong tweet causes Chinese backlash |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team has apologised after a tweet in support of Hong Kong protesters led to a Chinese backlash. | The general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team has apologised after a tweet in support of Hong Kong protesters led to a Chinese backlash. |
| Daryl Morey's original tweet included an image captioned: "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong." | Daryl Morey's original tweet included an image captioned: "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong." |
| But the coach backpedalled after a fierce criticism from Chinese fans, sponsors and commercial partners. | But the coach backpedalled after a fierce criticism from Chinese fans, sponsors and commercial partners. |
| Chinese broadcasters and streaming platforms said they would no longer broadcast Rockets games. | Chinese broadcasters and streaming platforms said they would no longer broadcast Rockets games. |
| NBA games draw huge viewership in China, with millions watching games primarily through streaming platforms. The Rockets have been popular since the team signed Chinese star Yao Ming in 2002. | NBA games draw huge viewership in China, with millions watching games primarily through streaming platforms. The Rockets have been popular since the team signed Chinese star Yao Ming in 2002. |
| The Rockets and the National Basketball Association in the US quickly distanced themselves from Mr Morey's tweet. | The Rockets and the National Basketball Association in the US quickly distanced themselves from Mr Morey's tweet. |
| And, in a follow-up statement, Mr Morey said he had reconsidered his position. "I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event," he wrote. | And, in a follow-up statement, Mr Morey said he had reconsidered his position. "I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event," he wrote. |
| "I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives. | "I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives. |
| "I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors...I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. | "I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors...I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. |
| "My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA." | "My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA." |
| Hong Kong has seen months of protests - sparked by an extradition law that has since been withdrawn - that have grown increasingly violent. | Hong Kong has seen months of protests - sparked by an extradition law that has since been withdrawn - that have grown increasingly violent. |
| What's the reaction? | What's the reaction? |
| Mr Morey's original tweet, sent on Friday, caused uproar in China. | Mr Morey's original tweet, sent on Friday, caused uproar in China. |
| On Sunday, the Chinese Basketball Association suspended cooperation with the Houston Rockets, as did Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning. | On Sunday, the Chinese Basketball Association suspended cooperation with the Houston Rockets, as did Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning. |
| The club's sponsor in China, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, suspended co-operation, too. | The club's sponsor in China, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, suspended co-operation, too. |
| And Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and Tencent Holdings, which streams NBA games in China, both said they would stop broadcasting Rockets matches. | And Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and Tencent Holdings, which streams NBA games in China, both said they would stop broadcasting Rockets matches. |
| Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta tweeted that Morey didn't speak for the team, which he said was "not a political organisation". Rockets player James Harden said: "We apologise. We love China." | Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta tweeted that Morey didn't speak for the team, which he said was "not a political organisation". Rockets player James Harden said: "We apologise. We love China." |
| The NBA described Mr Morey's comments as "regrettable" and acknowledged he had "deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China". | The NBA described Mr Morey's comments as "regrettable" and acknowledged he had "deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China". |
| "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." | "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." |
| And, in a lengthy Facebook post, Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai criticised Mr Morey for his "damaging" tweet, saying he misjudged how strongly many Chinese people felt about Hong Kong. | And, in a lengthy Facebook post, Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai criticised Mr Morey for his "damaging" tweet, saying he misjudged how strongly many Chinese people felt about Hong Kong. |
| The Canadian, who is also the vice-chairman of Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba, said he had "spent a good part of my professional life in China". | The Canadian, who is also the vice-chairman of Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba, said he had "spent a good part of my professional life in China". |
| "There are certain topics that are third-rail issues [untouchable] in certain countries, societies and communities," he went on. | "There are certain topics that are third-rail issues [untouchable] in certain countries, societies and communities," he went on. |
| "Supporting a separatist movement in a Chinese territory is one of those third-rail issues, not only for the Chinese government, but also for all citizens in China." | "Supporting a separatist movement in a Chinese territory is one of those third-rail issues, not only for the Chinese government, but also for all citizens in China." |
| Mr Tsai said the damage from Mr Morey's tweet "will take a long time to repair". He added that 1.4 billion Chinese citizens "stand united when it comes to the territorial integrity of China" and the issue "is non-negotiable". | Mr Tsai said the damage from Mr Morey's tweet "will take a long time to repair". He added that 1.4 billion Chinese citizens "stand united when it comes to the territorial integrity of China" and the issue "is non-negotiable". |
| Political backlash | Political backlash |
| The NBA zone defence over Mr Morey's tweet provoked accusations from Democratic and Republican lawmakers that the league was bowing to Beijing instead of supporting democracy. | The NBA zone defence over Mr Morey's tweet provoked accusations from Democratic and Republican lawmakers that the league was bowing to Beijing instead of supporting democracy. |
| Former US presidential hopeful - and Rockets fan - Ted Cruz accused the NBA of "shamefully retreating" in pursuit of profit. | Former US presidential hopeful - and Rockets fan - Ted Cruz accused the NBA of "shamefully retreating" in pursuit of profit. |
| Mr Cruz said he was proud to see Mr Morey "call out the Chinese Communist Party's repressive treatment of protestors in Hong Kong". | Mr Cruz said he was proud to see Mr Morey "call out the Chinese Communist Party's repressive treatment of protestors in Hong Kong". |
| Fellow Republican Senator Ben Sasse called the NBA's response "shameful" in a statement. | Fellow Republican Senator Ben Sasse called the NBA's response "shameful" in a statement. |
| "The NBA wants money, and the Communist Party of China is asking them to deny the most basic of human rights. In response, the NBA issued a statement saying money is the most important thing." | "The NBA wants money, and the Communist Party of China is asking them to deny the most basic of human rights. In response, the NBA issued a statement saying money is the most important thing." |
| Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro tweeted that the US must "not allow American citizens to be bullied by an authoritarian government". | |
| Other Democrats, including Mr Castro's 2020 rival Andrew Yang and congressman Eric Swalwell also criticised the NBA's move. | Other Democrats, including Mr Castro's 2020 rival Andrew Yang and congressman Eric Swalwell also criticised the NBA's move. |