A Rift Healed After the 2019 Fallout
The NBA is staging its return to Greater China, with two preseason games scheduled for October in Macau, ending a six-year suspension of matches in the region.
The hiatus stemmed from a diplomatic backlash triggered in 2019 after then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from Beijing. The fallout saw NBA broadcasts effectively pulled in mainland China, sponsors distancing themselves, and the disruption of the league’s China engagement.
Now, the NBA and Chinese partners are attempting a reset. The games will be played between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns on October 10 and 12 at the Venetian Arena in Macau.
What the Return Looks Like
These China Games 2025 will be more than just exhibition matches: organizers aim to create a full fan experience.
- Fan Day & activations: On October 11, a day of fan events, skills challenges, and cultural programming is planned.
- NBA House & Merchandise: The league will open an NBA House and a flagship merchandise store in Macau during the visit.
- Broadcast & partnerships: Tencent remains the NBA’s broadcast partner in China, with the agreement extended recently through 2027.
- Technology tie-ins: A new long-term partnership with Alibaba Cloud will enhance viewing and fan engagement using cloud and AI services.
From the Nets’ perspective, this will be their fourth appearance in China (2010, 2014, 2019, and now 2025).
Symbolism & Stakes
This return carries symbolic weight:
- Rebuilding trust: The NBA faces the delicate task of rebuilding its brand in China after years of estrangement.
- Soft diplomacy: The games serve as a gesture of reconciliation and cultural exchange, softening tensions between sports, politics, and commerce.
- Revenue pipeline: China remains a huge potential market—fans, merchandise, sponsorships, and media rights make it among the most lucrative international territories.
- Domestic interests: Chinese fans are watching closely, as domestic players (like Nets rookie Zeng Fanbo) will have personal stakes in the return.
For Zeng, who hails from China, the Macau games are a kind of homecoming.
Challenges Ahead
While the return is momentous, it’s not without risk:
- Political sensitivity: Any perceived misstep may reignite tension.
- Fan reception: The Chinese audience’s reaction will matter—enthusiasm is strong, but trust is fragile.
- Sponsorship & regulation: The league must navigate corporate interests, regulatory limits, and local policies carefully.
- Sustainability: These two games are a start—not a full revival. Whether they lead to a regular return depends on execution and stability.
