Adam Silver defends freedom of speech amid China row
The US National Basketball Association (NBA) has defended free speech amid a row with China over a team executive's tweet in support of Hong Kong protests.
The tweet posted by Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, caused uproar in China and his attempt to backtrack upset American fans. But NBA boss Adam Silver defended Mr Morey and said the league would "support freedom of expression".
NBA games draw huge viewership in China, mainly via streaming platforms. The Rockets have been popular there since the team signed Chinese star Yao Ming in 2002. Mr Yao now heads the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
But Mr Morey's tweet prompted a furious backlash in China, with broadcasters vowing to stop airing Rockets games.
They went further by scrapping plans to broadcast two NBA pre-season games being played in China.
The NBA is just the latest international business to be embroiled in controversy in both China and the US over the Hong Kong protests. But the organisation's strong defence of freedom of expression is unusual.
On Friday, Mr Morey posted a tweet with an image captioned: "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong."
He was referencing months of pro-democracy protests in the territory, which is part of China but enjoys unique freedoms.
Chinese officials and media have reacted furiously to foreign expressions of support for the protesters and accused the West of interfering in Chinese affairs.
In response to Mr Morey's tweet, state-run broadcaster CCTV and Tencent Holdings, which streams NBA games in China, said they would stop broadcasting Rockets matches.
On Sunday the CBA suspended co-operation with the team, as did Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning and the club's sponsor in China, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.
Earlier, Mr Morey deleted the tweet and said: "I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event."
"I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors," he added.