Sen. Josh Hawley lashed out at the National Basketball Association after users reported that they were unable to write “Free Hong Kong” on customized jerseys the league is selling through its online store.
The Missouri Republican accused the NBA, which will allow players to wear “approved phrases” that support social causes when play resumes, on Monday of bowing before the Chinese Communist Party in an effort to appease the league’s bottom line.
“Of course – @NBA Incorporated doesn’t dare offend the paymasters in #Beijing!” Hawley tweeted.
Of course – @NBA Incorporated doesn’t dare offend the paymasters in #Beijing! https://t.co/vRe8aspbln
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 13, 2020
Outkick founder Clay Travis was the first to alert the public about the jersey censorship on Monday morning.
“We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered,” wrote Travis. “Please try a different entry.”
Later in the afternoon, Daily Caller Editor David Hookstead recorded an NBA store employee telling him that although he could not purchase a jersey with the phrase “FreeHongKong,” he would be allowed to purchase a jersey that read “KillCops.”
“System error”! The problems are systemic, that’s for certain. Speaking of which, I’m still waiting for a reply from @NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to my letter https://t.co/1zCDyWDT3o
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 13, 2020
The jersey row comes a week after ESPN columnist Adrian Wojnarowski was suspended by the Disney-owned sports company for emailing Hawley, “F— you,” after he pointed out that players would not be permitted to wear pro-Hong Kong messages on their jerseys.
The league’s decision not to allow consumers to support the democratic movement in Hong Kong has been seen as another slight against fans, some of whom snuck “Free Hong Kong” signs into games last year before being escorted from the arena.
In October 2019, the NBA came under criticism after top players, including Lebron James, attacked Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for tweeting his support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong against the Chinese Communist Party. James said Morey “wasn’t educated” on the subject, and other top players joined in, defending the Chinese government.
