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4h ago

NBA Returns to China With Sold-Out Macao Games, Alibaba Deal

New long-term partnerships signal a lucrative yet fragile reentry after the 2019 fallout.

A Hong Kong protester in an LA Lakers jersey holding a LeBron James picture during a pro-democracy demonstration in October, 2019.
LeBron James plays with a basketball during a promotional event at a store in Guangzhou, China in July, 2014.
A woman and a man in LeBron James jerseys hold Chinese national flags as they walk into the Mercedes-Benz Arena before the NBA exhibition game between Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in Shanghai, China, on October 10, 2019.
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Overview

  • The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns play sold-out preseason games Friday and Sunday at Macao’s Venetian Arena under a five-year agreement with Sands China.
  • Commissioner Adam Silver reported “tremendous interest” and said the sell-outs could pave the way for additional events in China.
  • Alibaba Cloud announced a multiyear collaboration as NBA China’s official cloud computing and AI partner, with Nets owner Joe Tsai chairing Alibaba.
  • Tickets were snapped up within minutes, with some fans paying close to $1,000 on secondary markets for access and fan activities.
  • The comeback follows the 2019 Daryl Morey controversy that froze ties, and experts warn a single misstep could quickly reignite tensions.