The recent decision by the Chinese government to veto the broadcast of Real Madrid matches stems from Kylian Mbappé referring to Mao Zedong as a "dictator," a move that draws direct parallels to a major censorship event involving the NBA. Between 2019 and 2022, China halted the television transmission of the American basketball league for two and a half years after Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets, posted a message supporting Hong Kong democracy protests. The statement, which read "Fight for freedom, support Hong Kong," was interpreted by Beijing as an attack on national identity, prompting a swift ban despite the league's global stature.
State broadcaster CCTV justified the blackout by stating that any comment challenging national sovereignty and social stability falls outside the realm of free expression. This stance remained firm even after James Harden, a star player for the Rockets at the time, issued an apology expressing love for China. Furthermore, the ban persisted despite Yao Ming, the former Houston Rockets center who served as president of the Chinese Basketball Association, condemning Morey's words as inappropriate and voicing strong opposition to them. The blackout was comprehensive, turning broadcasts black and even affecting pre-season games played in Shanghai, such as a match between the Nets and the Lakers, which took place without cameras present.
The economic repercussions were severe, echoing current fears held by LaLiga and Real Madrid regarding their own market access. China represents the NBA's most significant basketball market outside the United States, with Forbes valuing the business relationship at $4 billion. The country boasts over 300 million basketball practitioners and an estimated audience of more than 500 million consumers of American league content. Following Morey's October 2019 comment, the NBA lost a decade-long broadcasting partnership that had existed since opening an office in Hong Kong in 1992. Additionally, approximately a dozen commercial agreements with major Chinese brands, including the nation's largest sportswear manufacturer and a top dairy company, were suspended.
At the time of the crisis, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the frustration of partners but emphasized that defending principles was more important than business growth. He stated that values such as equality, respect, and freedom of expression have long defined the league and would continue to do so. However, for China, the issue was not framed as free speech but as an affront to national pride. Relations have since normalized, evidenced by a friendly match between Houston and Dallas in Macao on October 11. Nevertheless, the precedent demonstrates that Beijing remains unyielding on matters of national dignity, whether the target is the NBA or Real Madrid.
Sources: El País Deportes.