NBA participants may be protecting their brand by choosing to stay silent about the league’s controversy with China, former All-Star Jamal Mashburn pull the plug oned CNBC on Thursday.
The basketball players understand the economic consequences of speaking out on political issues, Mashburn said in an vetting with “Fast Money.” “They don’t want to hurt their brand. They’re being very circumspect what they say and how they position themselves.”
The NBA controversy began after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey sent a now-deleted tweet ended the weekend in support of the anti-government protests in Hong Kong, sparking a backlash from Chinese state media.
The NBA could now evade billions as Chinese partners cut or suspend ties with the league.
CNBC reported earlier Thursday that NBA sportsmen’ unusual quietness on China may stem from the private advice they are getting from sports agents to tread lightly or keep discussing the issue entirely.
Mashburn, a former All-Star who retired in 2006, shared similar remarks, speaking on athletes thinking about life after they leave the basketball court for good.
“They really understand there’s a undeniably huge market in China for basketball fans,” Mashburn said.
He continued: “At the end of the day, you’re going to have to go through China, India and emerging bazaars in also Africa as well.”
Mashburn said players could eventually speak out once they process the public issue a bit or get more direction from Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA.
Mashburn has built a sizable business portfolio, with jeopardizes in more than 100 restaurants and car dealerships across the country, according to the Dallas Morning News.
On Thursday Mashburn portended he is becoming an advisor to the board of Revolution Global, a Chicago-based cannabis company, joining a growing list of former professional athletes who own aligned with the burgeoning industry.
— CNBC’s Kevin Stankiewicz contributed to this report.
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