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Sen Marsha Blackburn, R-Ten.
Representatives from most of the big professional sports leagues were on Tuesday to discuss media rights, broadcasting and streaming services throughout the industry.
During the hearing, the president of the Blackburn NBA’s Global Content and Media Distribution raised several questions to Koenig, especially about how the league had treated China in recent years.
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Sen Marsha Blackburn, R-Ten., arrived at the Senate Judicial Committee’s business meeting in the Darksen Senate Office Building on February 7, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Fig.)
Blackburn began with some background about the situation.
Blackburn said, “I have been watching NBA’s relationship with oppressive rule around the world for years.” “And of course, you have had a very comfortable relationship with CCP with all of you and we know how they censor.
Mark Cuban has defended NBA’s China partnership despite opposing ‘Chinese and all human rights violations’
“Hong Kong’s Freedom Fighters are returning to 2019 with Darrill Mori’s Tweet in support of Freedom Fighters and as a result of suspension [of] The NBA broadcasts on the media -run media channels. In recent years, it appears that you all patched the relationship that meant there was some kind of contract and of course it was quite a contract. “
Mori was the general manager of the then Houston Rockets, saying, “Fight for Freedom. Freedom.
China responded by announcing the NBA predecessor games that were expected to play in Shanghai. After that, it increased the suspension for almost the entire year before the NBA was returned to its state -directed television during the 2020 NBA final.
The NBA and China had to come to an agreement to regain their relationships for track, pressing the Quenig for the Blackburn details.
“So, since we are talking about broadcasting and talking about what they are valuable, why don’t you tell me what the rights of the broadcast in China are, and how much the NBA owners have invested in China,” he said.
Sen Marsha Blackburn, R-Ten. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File)
“NBA has had a long history of distributing games and content in China for more than 3 years,” the Coinig responded.
“I am not asking about how much time you are in China. I am asking what media rights are worth? You are the president of the global content and media distribution. So, what is the value of these rights and how much did the NBA owners invest in China?”
Koenig responded, “NBA is the financial terms of our relationship – we or not publicly commented abroad. But I can comment that you are right in the light of the Darrill Mori in 2019.
“You had to cut a deal,” Blackburn replied, but Koenig said that the league didn’t do so.
“The guesses are these media rights worth a million dollars for you all and NBA team owners have invested as $ 10 billion [in China]The I think some precision between these numbers will be important, “Blackburn added.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke at a press conference at Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers on December 9, 2023 at the T-Mobile Arena in Los Vegas Vegas. (Taifun Kosakun/Anadolu via the Getty Fig.)
“The other thing we see is human rights and we have punished players who have spoken against human rights abusers in China. Anece Canter freedom, a special. So, can you commit me that the league in every agreement is supporting human rights, and this league is speech -holling?”
Koenig replied “One of the most important values of NBA is freedom of speech.”
“Actually, the example you mentioned earlier – Darrill Mori. In the light of the comments he made, he did not discipline or censor,” added Koenig. “You are right. This comment could cause coverage lacking by CCTV and other issues b
Since the NBA has changed its relationship with China, Commissioner Adam Silver has said that the league will play games there again.
“I think we will bring back the games in China at any time,” he said in October. “The Chinese government has taken us out of the air for a while. We have accepted it. We stand by our values. … any of our league has the right to talk about political issues.”
Sen Marsha Blackburn, R-Ten. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magna)
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Silver also said that after the spread of relations with China in 2021, among other factors, the escape of other factors faced “dramatic” financial loss.
In 2022, an ESPN investigation found that NBA owners had invested a combined $ 10 billion in China, which included an owner whose company had a joint venture with an entity -approved entity.
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