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

What the Future Looks Like if We Get It Right
What the Future Looks Like if We Get It Right
December 30, 2025

As the Patient Monitoring series concludes, the conversation shifts from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s possibilities. This final episode of the five-part Health and Life Sciences at the Edge series looks ahead to what healthcare could become if patient monitoring gets it right. Intel’s Kaeli Tully is joined by Sudha Yellapantula, Senior Researcher at Medical…

Read More
data center infrastructure
AI Is Forcing a Rethink of Data Center Infrastructure at Every Level
December 29, 2025

The data center industry is being redefined by AI’s demand for faster, denser, and more scalable infrastructure. According to McKinsey, average rack power densities have more than doubled in just two years. It went from approximately 8 kW to 17 kW, and is expected to hit 30 kW by 2027. Global data center power demand is projected…

Read More
Emergency department
How Predictive AI Is Helping Hospitals Anticipate Admissions and Optimize Emergency Department Throughput
December 24, 2025

Emergency departments across the U.S. are under unprecedented strain, with overcrowding, staffing shortages, and inpatient bed constraints converging into a throughput crisis. The American Hospital Association reports that hospital capacity and workforce growth have lagged, intensifying delays from arrival to disposition. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence are moving from experimental to operational—raising…

Read More
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