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China is not threatening to arrest and try basketball players in the US. Their main threat is loss of financial income to the NBA.
by firasd 7y ago
China is not threatening to arrest and try basketball players in the US. Their main threat is loss of financial income to the NBA.
- dredmorbius 7y agoAmong the conventional talking points that's flawed. NBA's interest in China is at least $500 million and may clear $1 billion. That's consequence-inducing. https://www.si.com/nba/2019/10/07/daryl-morey-rockets-china-hong-kong-basketball https://www.si.com/nba/2019/10/07/daryl-morey-rockets-china-...
- firasd 7y agoSeems like you and the article agree with me here (the consequences are financial, not imprisonment for the average NBA player.) And if financial consequences count as a free speech issue to you, then you agree with me that free speech isn't just about judicial arrest.
- dredmorbius 7y agoYes, I agree with you that what is effectively financial blackmail or coercion matters. It's among the most accessible and effective tools historically. Point remains that as a government China has considerable means and impunity at its disposal. The fact that numerous non-state actors also do is a key extension of free-speech concerns I find poorly addressed. The NBA as a media platform (among its chief roles) is an example. FAANG similarly. There are numerous others.
- emmelaich 7y agoThey tried to get Morey sacked. There's lot's of soft political pressure they can apply, well short of arresting anyone but not to be taken lightly.