The NBA, China and Hong Kong: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 

The NBA was presented with a difficult choice when Daryl Morey, the Houston Rocket’s general manager and the league’s 2017-18 Executive of the Year, tweeted a message of support for protestors in Hong Kong.

Protests began in June against proposals to allow extradition to mainland China and have since escalated. The issue for the NBA is that China represents 10% of the league’s annual revenue, according to David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute.

By choosing a side, the NBA risks alienating one of its largest sources of revenue and potential growth. On the other hand, the league doesn’t want to be seen as an opponent of freedom of speech and expression for its employees.

Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern discuss the issue and potential ramifications for the league in this excerpt from Business Casual.

Tune in to MarketScale Radio LIVE every Wednesday and Friday morning at 9 a.m. CT for Business Casual with Tyler Kern, Daniel Litwin, and Geoff Short. From interest rates to eSports – we’ll be talking all things B2B.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Mission
Why Is the Mission of Benchmark So Important
December 23, 2025

As pharmaceutical innovation accelerates, the margin for error narrows, making quality assurance not just a regulatory necessity but a public good. Benchmark’s mission sits at the intersection of progress and protection—helping manufacturers stay aligned with FDA standards so life-saving therapies reach patients faster and safer. By keeping cleanrooms compliant and companies out of trouble, Benchmark…

Read More
Benchmark
What Is It Like for You to Be Part of the Benchmark Products Teams Now
December 23, 2025

Being part of the Benchmark Products team today means working at the intersection of precision manufacturing and deeply human collaboration, especially in the high-stakes world of cleanroom and sterility assurance solutions. As the organization grows, employees describe a culture that still feels familial—one where clear communication, personal accountability, and genuine care for customers drive…

Read More
Cleaning
Do Your Friends Ever Ask You For Cleaning Tips
December 23, 2025

In a media landscape increasingly shaped by privacy constraints, data clean rooms have emerged as a quiet but powerful way for brands to collaborate without exposing sensitive information, even if, as Will Sepsis quips, some partners would still prefer that “ignorance is bliss.” That tension—between curiosity and caution—captures the moment we’re in, where understanding…

Read More
Clean
Do You Friends Ask You For Cleaning Methods or Clean Their Home
December 23, 2025

At Benchmark Products, where cleanroom precision is part of everyday work, professionals often discover that specialized knowledge doesn’t always translate neatly into casual conversations—especially when friends jokingly wonder if you’ll critique their homes or turn them into germaphobes. The reality is that cleanroom science is about controlled environments and risk mitigation at an industrial scale,…

Read More