Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about staging NBA games in China again, stating, 'I think we will bring games back to China at some point.' He acknowledged past conflicts but emphasized the league's commitment to its values and the right for individuals in the league to speak on political issues.
The backlash from China in 2019, following a controversial tweet by the Houston Rockets' Daryl Morey in support of Hong Kong protests, resulted in severe financial repercussions for the NBA, with estimates of losses in the hundreds of millions.
After an 18-month blackout of NBA games, signs of improving relations with China were indicated when CCTV resumed broadcasting the league in March 2022, coinciding with promotional events like Jimmy Butler's tour in the summer of 2023.
Silver pointed out the NBA's efforts to enhance its global presence by holding pre-season games not only in China but also in locations like Abu Dhabi, Mexico City, and Paris, demonstrating the league's ambition to grow its international fan base.
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