This week, sports outlets sent out a memo saying that everyone, including reporters, should refrain from talking about politics and the recent protests in China, and ‘focus on basketball.’
However during a press conference with Houston Rockets All-Star players Russell Westbrook and James Harden, CNN reporter Christina Macfarlane asked a question regarding the situation—only to have her microphone taken away by a team rep.
Reporter: "NBA has always been a league that prides itself on players & coaches being able to speak openly on political & societal affairs. After this week (Hong Kong) do you feel differently about speaking out in the future?"
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 10, 2019
Players: *cowardly silence*pic.twitter.com/z36OZukhlq
The NBA would eventually issue an apology to MacFarlane and CNN in a tweet/email form.
The NBA has apologized to @chrissymacCNN for the @HoustonRockets team rep “inappropriately” interjecting and trying to prevent her from getting an answer to her question. (Via @richarddeitsch) pic.twitter.com/XvayGSFtw7
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 10, 2019
I may not be a political person and don’t like to get involved in any form, but this seems awful rich coming from a league that supports players who speak out politically.
Not a great look, NBA.
