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Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers The Latest NBA Team To Get Banned By Chinese Streaming Service

Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers The Latest NBA Team To Get Banned By Chinese Streaming Service

Tencent​ are refusing to stream live Sixers ​games this season, and it's all to do with the team's new president Daryl Morey​.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Chinese streaming giants Tencent are refusing to show any live Philadelphia 76ers games this season in protest against the team's new president Daryl Morey.

Morey, who was the general manager of the Houston Rockets at the time, made headlines last year by publicly supporting Hong Kong protestors via social media.

In October 2019, he tweeted: "Fight for Freedom, stand with Hong Kong".

The post was later deleted after heavy backlash.

Twitter

But this move, which was seemingly supported by the NBA at the time, didn't sit well with those in mainland China and the Chinese Basketball Association ultimately decided to suspend its long-term relationship with the Rockets.

On top of that, a bunch of big-name companies detached themselves from the NBA franchise - including Tencent, who would no longer broadcast the team's games.

And despite recently jumping ships to the Sixers and leaving Houston in his rear-view mirror, it seems the sentiment towards Morey has stuck.

China previously had a strong relationship with the Rockets through former fan favourite Yao Ming.
PA

But the fallout with arguably the NBA's biggest international marketdoesn't stop there.

Not only have Tencent refused to show Houston Rockets and now Philadelphia 76ers games, but it appears another Chinese broadcasting giant isn't too happy either.

China Central Television (CCTV), which holds exclusive rights for the NBA within the region, has not shown a single NBA game this season in a stand against the sport's governing body - and more specifically against Morey and his views.

James Harden already has one foot out the door and Russell Westbrook only lasted one season in Houston.
PA

It's understood this feud with China has cost the NBA millions of dollars.

As for Tencent, they've continued streaming games - just not when the Rockets or Sixers are playing.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Houston Rockets, Basketball, Basketball News, NBA, nba news, Twitter, Australia