The National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States has defended free speech after the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey tweeted his support for the Hong Kong protests. The tweet caused an uproar among basketball fans in China, while his attempt to backtrack upset American fans who support the protests. NBA boss Adam Silver issued a statement saying: “The NBA will not put itself in a position of regulating what players, employees and team owners say or will not say on these issues." Mr Silver told reporters later he’d be travelling to Shanghai to "find mutual respect" with officials. Many have called the NBA’s move bold, given the financial clout of China. Mark Dreyer, an expert on China’s sport industry tweeted: "The vast majority of foreign companies apologize profusely at the first sign of discontent from Chinese consumers, which makes the NBA's response all the more remarkable."

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