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SHANGHAI – Chinese state-owned television network CCTV said there was no chance of alleviating its blackout at NBA games after a tweet last year by the Houston Rockets general manager supporting the Hong Kong protests.
The NBA is on hold along with most other sports due to the coronavirus pandemic, but even before CCTV kept games off its schedule since October following Daryl Morey’s support for pro-democracy protests.
“Regarding the rumors (about the broadcast of games), we must reiterate that we have had no contact or dialogue with the NBA until today,” CCTV News wrote on Weibo, similar to Twitter, Monday, along with images of a presenter. who made the same statement. in the air.
“In matters related to sovereignty, our attitude is severe, resolute, consistent and there is no room for maneuver. The NBA must understand this position.”
The backlash in China against Morey’s comments cast a cloud over the NBA’s lucrative broadcasting, marketing, and sponsorship interests in the country, where it has a large fan base.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in February that the league expected to lose “several hundred million dollars” in the aftermath of Morey’s tweet.
Silver, who championed “freedom of expression for the NBA community” as the dispute mounted, said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasting NBA games, but did not give a deadline.
However, Chinese internet giant Tencent has shown games even when the row rumbled.
© Agence France-Presse
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