The National Basketball Association is staging its first games in China since 2019, signaling a new chapter in its relationship with one of its most important international markets.
Financial Times
The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns are set to play two preseason matches in Macau — on Friday and Sunday at the Venetian Arena in the semi-autonomous gambling hub.
What caused the hiatus?
The break began after then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters in 2019 — “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” That sparked swift backlash from Chinese officials.
In response, many NBA games were pulled from Chinese TV, sponsorship deals were canceled or paused, and the league faced substantial financial losses.
The comeback strategy
The league has struck a multi-year agreement with Sands China (the Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands) to host these preseason games.
A new partnership with Alibaba Cloud has been announced, intended to improve Chinese fan experiences through technology (cloud, AI, etc.).
Tencent will continue as the NBA’s broadcaster in China, and its deal with NBA China has been extended through 2027.
Significance & challenges
Soft landing in Macau: Macau offers a more neutral political setting compared to mainland China’s major metropolises, making it a safer reentry point.
Huge fan base: The NBA estimates roughly 300 million people in China play basketball.
Stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have already visited China this year to stoke interest.
The league is treading carefully to avoid political pitfalls. The old fallout is a reminder of how sensitive the balance between free expression, global business, and politics can be.