Basketball superstar LeBron James has sparked controversy after commenting on the ongoing row between the NBA and China, saying that Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was 'misinformed' when he tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters.
In a now-deleted tweet, Morey expressed solidarity with pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, later apologising. Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles, James said: 'I believe he wasn't educated on the situation at hand and he spoke.' He added that while everyone has freedom of speech, 'there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you're not thinking about others'.
James's remarks drew praise in China but anger in the US, with Republican Senator Ben Sasse accusing him of 'parroting communist propaganda'. Activists in Hong Kong and some US politicians also criticised the NBA star, who often speaks out on social issues. In a clarifying tweet, James said he was referring to the consequences of Morey's comment, not the substance.
The NBA, hugely popular in China, has struggled to respond to the fallout, with Chinese partners suspending broadcasts and sponsorships. James has significant financial interests in China through his Nike endorsement and fan base.
