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

MarketScale
MarketScale
Oct 9, 2019
Adam Silver Basketball Business Casual China Daniel Litwin Podcast Daryl Morey Hong Kong Houston Rockets nba Protests sports Tyler Kern Podcast

 

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

marketers
Daily 12 Minute AI Habits for Marketers with Measurable Results
December 19, 2025

In this episode of The Marketing AI SparkCast, Aby Varma—founder of Spark Novus, which partners with marketing leaders to adopt AI responsibly and strategically—hosts Frank Lazaro, author of Finding 12 Minutes. Their conversation reveals how marketers can practically implement AI into daily workflows and unlock measurable productivity—starting with just twelve minutes a day. Topics Covered: The…

Read More
sports
The Business of Sports Tourism: How Dallas Converts Sporting Events Into Long-Term Economic Growth
December 19, 2025

Dallas–Fort Worth is entering its biggest global sports moment in decades. FIFA has confirmed the region will host nine matches at AT&T Stadium (branded as “Dallas Stadium” during the tournament) as part of the expanded 48-team, 104-match 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the group-stage draw now public and local planning accelerating—from stadium upgrades to…

Read More
in-home senior care
Bridging the Gap Between Hospital Discharge and Daily Life: How In-Home Senior Care Improves Outcomes and Reduces Readmissions
December 19, 2025

As hospitals across the U.S. shorten length of stay and push more recovery into the home, families are increasingly left to manage complex care needs without formal training or support. Roughly one in five patients with chronic conditions like COPD or congestive heart failure is readmitted within 30 days—a cycle that costs the healthcare…

Read More
business
Why Passion Beats the Perfect Business Idea by Ben Maitland
December 18, 2025

In a moment when AI tools, creator platforms, and decentralized media are reshaping how companies grow, founders are being forced to rethink what actually drives long-term success. According to Forbes, citing CB Insights research, 42% of startups fail because there simply isn’t a market for their product or service. As markets move faster and…

Read More
Related
NBA
Software & Technology
Slow Stories in a Fast League: Why the NBA Still Deserves Real, In-Depth Journalism
November 3, 2025
college football
Healthcare
Coaching Insights: Inside the Relentless Pressure and Changing Realities of Modern College Football
October 27, 2025

The college football carousel is spinning faster than ever—accelerated by the transfer portal, NIL, and playoff-or-bust expectations. In this environment, staff turnover isn’t just a headline; it’s a human story affecting assistants and families who don’t have eight-figure buyouts. As discussed in this episode, a widely cited estimate suggests a majority of portal entrants…

Read More
Sports Ownership
Healthcare
Alts Innovators: Gennaro Leo on Sports Ownership
October 20, 2025

Welcome to the second episode in our mini-series on the alternative asset market. Gennaro Leo is a sports executive and the co-founder of Austin Sports Ventures, a firm that partners with venture capital and private equity firms to invest in and operate assets across professional sports leagues, teams, and high-growth technology startups. In this…

Read More