The owners of teams in the National Basketball Association have invested more than $10 billion into communist China.
Heavily criticized as a whole for a lackluster record when it comes to speaking out against the abuses of China, 40 NBA owners have pumped $10 billion into the country, according to a report published on Thursday.
One owner even went into business with an entity that was sanctioned by the United States government, according to the report.
LGBT ADVOCATE SAYS FLORIDA SCHOOL WON’T LET HIM RUN FOR STUDENT PRESIDENT
“This is a significant issue and problem that American companies have,” said Robert Kuhn, an adviser to Chinese leaders and multinational corporations operating in the nation. “It’s a tension between those two poles … to see companies promoting social justice in the U.S. but staying silent on what would be perceived to be far worse issues in China.”
“This is going to be an issue for the rest of our working lives.”
The report of the owners’ deep involvement in Chinese businesses comes as the NBA playoffs are watched on state-run TV in the Asian nation following an almost three-year ban.
“We continue to believe that exporting media rights of NBA games to fans in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, including China, is consistent with our mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.
Key owners invested in China include Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, Sacramento Kings co-owner Paul Jacobs, Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, and Charlotte Hornets owner and widely recognized “GOAT” Michael Jordan, the report noted.
Analysis suggests the investments that are connecting owners to the second-largest economy in the world place them at severe risk if they fall out of favor with China’s communist regime or public.
At least 53.5% of Tsai’s net worth is tied to China’s communist government.
“Nobody really wants their name associated with China, but what can they do?” said attorney Dan Harris, who works at a firm representing many corporations in business with China.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“They’re sort of betwixt and between. If they say what Americans want them to say, it’s death in China. If they say what China wants, it’s death in America.”
