NBA returning to Chinese state television after 1-year ban

CCTV quickly halted its relationship with the NBA after Morey's tweet, even though the post was quickly deleted. Given the timing, it appears the suspension of NBA coverage by that network was designed to last one year; CCTV announced on Oct. 8, 2019, that it was beginning an immediate investigation into its relationship with the NBA, stemming from the network being "strongly dissatisfied" over the league's decision to not sanction Morey.

The NBA did not have an immediate comment to CCTV's decision.

NBA games have been available to Chinese fans on the streaming service Tencent, another of the league's broadcast partners. But the relationship between the league and China could be best categorized as frosty since the tweet, with only some slight hints of reconciliation.

NBA legend and Chinese Basketball Association President Yao Ming did come to the US to attend the memorial service for commissioner emeritus David Stern in January, a move viewed by some as one that showed there was hope for the league and China to mend fences. More hope came in February, when the NBA sent more than $1 million in medical supplies to China to assist coronavirus relief efforts there. The Chinese publicly thanked the NBA for that gesture.

But the fallout after the tweet last year was quick and massive. Sponsors — following CCTV’s lead — pulled their backing of the NBA China Games between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets; the preseason games were played, though no news conferences were held and most events surrounding the games in the basketball-mad nation were canceled as well.