NBA commissioner Adam Silver: ‘We will protect our employees’ freedom of speech’
- As controversy over Houston Rockets GM’s Hong Kong protest tweet grows, he says league will not compromise on its values
- NBA boss stands firm as the league comes under fire from all directions
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has stood firm in defending what he called the league’s values and the personal freedom of Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to support protesters in Hong Kong, despite facing vehement attacks from Chinese fans and partners.
“The long-held values of the NBA are to support freedom of expression, and Daryl Morey enjoyed that right as one of our employees,” said an emotional Silver as he met the media before the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets exhibition match in Tokyo on Tuesday evening.
“I also understand that there are consequences from that exercise of his freedom of speech. We will have to live with those consequences. It’s my hope that our Chinese fans and our partners in China will see those remarks in the context of a three-decade relationship,” he said.
When asked if the 60 National Basketball Association staff members at its regional headquarters in Hong Kong would also have those rights protected amid pressure from the mainland government to mute corporate entities, Silver pointedly replied: “We will protect our employees’ freedom of speech.”
It was an almost unprecedented show of defiance for a multinational doing extensive business in China, where the NBA has more than 180 million social media followers and a multibillion-dollar broadcasting contract.
