[ad_1]
FILES) This file photo taken on October 10, 2019 shows people holding the Chinese flag (L) and a protest banner (R) in reference to a controversial tweet from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to the Association National Basketball Association (NBA) before the season game between Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, at Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai. (Photo by STR / AFP)
China’s state broadcaster CCTV warned on Friday that those who “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will have to pay a price” after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey resigned.
CCTV suspended NBA broadcasts last October after Morey tweeted “Fight for freedom, support Hong Kong,” referring to protests that Beijing considers separatist and seditious.
The announcer abruptly ended the year-long blackout for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday, finally won by the LA Lakers, and now, days later, Morey left after directing the Rockets’ basketball operations from the 2007-2008 season.
In his statement, the 48-year-old did not mention the controversy that disrupted relations between the NBA and China, the league’s most lucrative foreign market.
But in short reaction, CCTV suggested that Morey may have been expelled.
“We reiterate that any word and action that tries to hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will have to pay a price,” CCTV said in a statement on its website that was also read on air.
The station said it wished Morey the best, but used a phrase that in Chinese is often reserved for people who have passed away.
Morey’s departure made big news in China, where the NBA has a large following and his tweet last year caused a stir and demands that he be fired.
On Weibo, similar to Twitter, the hashtag “Morey resigns” had 110 million views by lunchtime on Friday and was a trending topic among the top 25.
NBA executives initially defended Morey’s right to free speech, prompting numerous business associates and Chinese celebrities to cut ties with the league.
In May, the NBA appointed Michael Ma, son of CCTV Sports executive Ma Guoli, as NBA China chief executive, prompting speculation that his appointment could mend ties.
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
