The NBA’s highly-anticipated return to Chinese soil has set the sports world abuzz, but is it a reconciliation or just a strategic move? After a five-year hiatus stemming from a firestorm of political controversy, the league has announced two pre-season games in Macau next October, featuring the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns. Macau, with its unique status under China’s “one country, two systems” framework, becomes the neutral ground for this cautious return, allowing the NBA to test the waters while avoiding the mainland’s political complexities.
Macau Gambles on NBA’s Return: Bridging or Burning Bridges?
Back in 2019, a single tweet from then-Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey shook the NBA’s billion-dollar ties with China. His public support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong sparked outrage, leading China to sever ties with the league and pull NBA games from Chinese television. The fallout was devastating: the NBA lost hundreds of millions in revenue, and relations between the league and China remained frosty until games resumed on air in 2022.
Morey’s deleted tweet may have been erased, but its echoes lingered. The NBA’s defense of freedom of expression faced sharp criticism from China, marking a turning point in their partnership.
Why Macau? Known as “China’s Las Vegas,” the city operates under the “one country, two systems” policy, making it a unique location for the NBA’s cautious return. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasized Macau’s passionate basketball fanbase and its strategic position as a gateway to mending fractured ties. However, critics argue this move sidesteps the mainland, suggesting unresolved tensions remain.
The Venetian Arena, owned by the Adelson family’s Las Vegas Sands Corporation, will host the games as part of a multimillion-dollar, five-year deal. This partnership is more than just a game; it’s a calculated play to regain favor in a market that once hosted 28 pre-season games between 2004 and 2019.
Chinese social media erupted with mixed reactions. While many celebrated the announcement, others expressed skepticism about the NBA’s return to the mainland. “Can only go to Macau… this relationship hasn’t healed,” lamented one Beijing-based user on Weibo. Others shared their excitement, hoping this marks the start of thrilling basketball action returning to the region.
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