US Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam silver, in which she asked several questions about the League’s relations with China, Sports Illustrated reports.
Blackburn praised the NBA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then expressed concern about the NBA‘s relationship with “a country ruled by a Communist regime that violated human rights, suppressed Pro-democracy protests, and concealed details about the coronavirus outbreak.”
The Senator’s letter ends with three questions that silver must answer by July 21:
- What are the expected financial implications of the ban on broadcasting NBA games on China Central television (CCTV)?
- Please describe the NBA’s relationship with the Chinese state-owned enterprise Alibaba.
3.According to reports, the NBA continues to operate a training center in Xinjiang, one of the worst humanitarian zones in the world. What steps is the NBA taking to close this place?
Evan Fournier: “The main reason we are playing again is money»
Orlando defender Evan Fournier said that the main reason why the 19/20 season will be finished is money.
“At first, there were a lot of people who said that we should stop the season. Then we considered the possible consequences – a lockout, a change in the salary cap-and finally agreed to finish the season. So the main reason we are playing again is money.
I understand those who do not want to play because it may distract attention from social problems. But I believe that we should use the restart of the season as an opportunity to be heard,” eurohoops reports the Frenchman’s words.
Matt Barnes: “There are a lot of club owners in the NBA who think like Donald sterling»
Former NBA player Matt Barnes said that Donald sterling was not the only owner of a sports club with racial prejudice.
“There are a lot of club owners in the NBA who think like sterling. And not only in the NBA, but also in the NFL. I know that for a fact.
I don’t want to name names, but there is a group of “nice guys” from oil and real estate companies. These guys are from the ’70s or late’ 60s, and they were raised that way. They look at the players as slaves, I don’t want to say that, it’s too harsh, but these people have the mindset of planters. They use phrases like” these are my people, “”I pay them.” This is what Donald sterling once said:” I buy them cars, I buy them food, I buy them houses.”
But Donald sterling is not the only one who thinks this way, he is the only fool who got caught up in it,” Barnes said.
