Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley wrote a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Friday over the league’s relationship with China.
Hawley expressed concern over the NBA’s decision to allow players to wear pre-approved social justice messages on their jerseys when the season resumes in Orlando. Hawley openly wondered why messages condemning human rights violations in China and Hong Kong were not allowed. (RELATED: LeBron James Says He’s Done Talking About China)
“Given the NBA’s troubled history of excusing and apologizing for the brutal repression of the Chinese Communist regime, these omissions are striking,” Hawley wrote.
Adam Silver the NBA Commissioner talks to the media before the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Hawley referenced an incident last year, where Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey was condemned across the league, after he offered support for human rights protesters in Hong Kong.
“Just last week, you described the October incident as ‘a bump in the road’ in the NBA’s relationship with the Chinese government,” Hawley wrote. “You went on to say that you understand that the CCP has ‘a different view of….how things should be done,’ and that you hope the NBA and the CCP will be able to ‘find mutual respect for each other.'”
“What offensive nonsense,” the senator continued. “No amount of profit can justify collaborating with a regime for which violent suppression and enslavement are routing tools of governance.”
If @NBA is going to put social cause statements on uniforms, why not “Support our Troops” or “Back the Blue”? Or given how much $$ @nba makes in #China, how about “Free Hong Kong”! Today I wrote to Adam Silver to ask for answers pic.twitter.com/PthYR4OxmE
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 10, 2020