Chinese state broadcaster stays firm on league blackout
BEIJING: Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said there was no prospect of easing its blackout on NBA matches following a tweet last year by the Houston Rockets’ general manager supporting Hong Kong protests.
The NBA is on hold along with most other sports because of the coronavirus pandemic, but even before that CCTV had kept matches off its schedule since October following Daryl Morey’s support for the pro-democracy demonstrations.
“Regarding rumours [about broadcasting games], we should reiterate we have not had any contact or dialogue with the NBA as of today,” CCTV News wrote on the Twitter-like Weibo yesterday, along with footage of an anchorman making the same statement on air.
“On issues concerning sovereignty, our attitude is severe, resolute, consistent and there is no room for manoeuvre. The NBA should understand this position.”
The backlash in China against Morey’s comments cast a cloud over the NBA’s lucrative broadcasting, merchandising and sponsorship interests in the Asian country, where it has a huge fanbase.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in February that the league expected to lose “several hundred million dollars” in the fallout over Morey’s tweet.
Silver, who defended the “freedom of expression of the NBA community” as the row escalated, said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasts of NBA games, but did not give a time-frame.
Chinese internet giant Tencent has however shown games even as the row rumbled on.
Meanwhile, the younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo plans to skip US college and play pro ball in Europe because he sees it as a faster route to the NBA.
Prospect Alex Antetokounmpo graduated from an American high school in Milwaukee and has received scholarship offers from several colleges, including DePaul University in Chicago.
“I want to become a pro as soon as possible,” he said.
“I was born and raised in Europe. I know European basketball and the best thing for me would be to sign a contract with a European club.”
The 6ft, 7in (2m) Alex was born in Greece and played forward last season for Dominican High School.
“I will have to train and compete against grown men, I will experience strong competition and pressure,” Alex said of the European move.