NBA stars urged to end China endorsements, warned over forced labor

Really? The US wants to speak on forced labor and cotton when they refuse to even have discussions on their own transgressions. Comical. How about begin by being an example for others to follow.

What modern transgressions would you be happening to highlight JJ? Specifically regarding forced labor and cultural erasure, as it's best to stay on topic.

Good move by the NBA for severing ties with genocidal China. Respect.

Using Muslims from concentration camps as slave labor is a disgrace, as is ANY company or individual who continues business with China.

Using Muslims from concentration camps as slave labor is a disgrace, as is ANY company or individual who continues business with China.

Like the trainee programs in Japan?

NBA? Really? Congress should have discussions about penalty taxes for any US companies in mainland China or any non-Democratic society where leaders can be in power over 10 yrs. There should be incentives for using Taiwan. Shift east, go to the Island!

If the allegations against China are true, isn't everyone who deals with them complicit?

If the allegations against China are true, isn't everyone who deals with them complicit?

People will sell out for money. Look at John Cena last week. For such a big man, he came across as a total p*ssy. But a very rich p#ssy.

If the allegations against China are true, isn't everyone who deals with them complicit?

Yes. 100%.

I don't think the athletes will do anything. They don't have a clue all they do is listen to their agents. Kyrie Irving just converted to being a muslim lets see what he does? I'm waiting, I hear crickets!

If it meant $5M/yr difference for my family and wasn't illegal, I'd be hard pressed NOT to dance the way any country demanded. One person against a huge country. Make it illegal, and that completely changes my stance.

What about all the Chinese-Americans who do business in both countries? Elon Musk? Certainly, he has more impact that 1 sports guy. He gets a pass?

As for John Cena, he went to the effort to learn some conversational Mandarin. He was interviewed in Mandarin - definitely not fluent, but still that's a huge effort. Only someone really interested in the people and culture would go that far. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-news-john-cena-talks-about-his-reason-for-learning-mandarin Seems he spent 5 yrs trying to learn Mandarin. It was certainly a business decision too.

He confessed that he later became obsessed with the language, and during the days that he had free time, a tutor came over for two hours to help him learn Mandarin.

The guy is driven and brought that drive to learning Mandarin, to a 3rd grade level. No small feat.

I'm not really a fan of basketball or Cena, but I can respect his efforts to learn a difficult language.

Really? The US wants to speak on forced labor and cotton when they refuse to even have discussions on their own transgressions. Comical.

What transgressions? We don't engage in forced childhood labor or forced labor since 1865

How about begin by being an example for others to follow.

We have been after that. The NBA pretty much is compromised and it seems they are definitely more interested in what and how the people in China perceive them, their fanbase grows in that country and is shrinking in the US and if that is the case, let the Chinese have them.

Why?

The NBA (and NFL) is dead in America. They need CCP blood money.

They made their bed, now they have to lay in it.

The NBA (and NFL) is dead in America. They need CCP blood money.

Now that fans are allowed to be packed in NBA stadiums again, it's made for a much more enjoyable TV experience such that:

"2021 NBA Playoffs Viewership Sees Massive Increase - NBA Playoff Ratings Make Big Jump From 2020: The NBA playoff ratings are up significantly from last season’s start to The Bubble, and slightly up from 2019, as well."

https://www.essentiallysports.com/2021-nba-playoffs-viewership-sees-massive-increase-after-lebron-james-and-lakers-championship-win-in-orlando-bubble/

The NBA Playoffs have begun for 2021, and fans have been given a treat. So far, the playoffs have been entertaining, as fans have gotten to see exciting basketball. Furthermore, several arenas in the NBA have allowed fans to return in great capacity, adding to the atmosphere.

The return of fans has made watching basketball a far more enjoyable experience, especially given what we have experienced in the last few years. And others clearly agree.

NBA Playoffs have a massive increase in ratings

So far, the 2021 NBA Playoffs are garnering much greater success in the rating. The ratings have improved 61% from last year’s NBA playoffs, which took place from the Bubble in Orlando behind closed doors. Clearly, fans didn’t feel the environment to be appealing enough last year, to tune in to watch.

There could be a few reasons for this dramatic increase. Firstly, the return of several marquee stars to the playoff picture would boost the ratings. This season, we have seen fan-favorite players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, and others in the playoffs.

Last year, these players, along with other big names like Klay Thompson and Zion Williamson missed the playoffs due to injury or lack of team success.

As mentioned earlier, the return of fans has been a big boost for ratings. Last year, all games took place behind closed doors, a condition for the Orlando bubble. Therefore, the environment usually presents during the playoffs was absent, and the playoffs felt less important. But now, with a chunk of the residents of the United States having been vaccinated, fans are returning to arenas in droves, making the playoffs all that more exciting.