Could Warriors’ D’Angelo Russell help break the ice between NBA and China?
You wouldn’t want to be NBA commissioner Adam Silver these days. The tension between the league and a heretofore rabid and reliable fan base must be keeping the good commish awake at night.
Thursday Silver told TMZ that he has not apologized to the Chinese government over Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey’s tweet supportive of Hong Kong protestors. But he seems hell-bent on repairing the relationship.
But wait. One of the newest Warriors appears to be making progress on a shoe contract with Chinese company Li-Ning. A deal between D’Angelo Russell and the company Li-Ning was first rumored last week. “We’ll see,” Russell told NBC Sports Bay Area. On Thursday came news of a potential breakthrough.
Basketball development of a different sort from China: The Li-Ning brand Way of Wade has been pushing to close a lucrative deal with new Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell to make Russell a brand ambassador, according to industry sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 17, 2019
Any interaction between the league and China that doesn’t end up with the two sides blowing raspberries at each other is good news. And, in case you missed it up top, this relationship needs all the good news it can get.
Just last week Chinese shoe company Anta announced it would not enter into contract renewal negotiations with NBA players, a development that could potentially impact NBA stars such as the Warriors’ Klay Thompson.
If Ni-Ling is prepared to enter into new negotiations — and appoint Russell a brand ambassador, you’d think that would qualify as a thaw of sorts.
Russell would be in good company. According to NBC Sports Bay Area Dwyane Wade signed with Li-Ning in 2012. That led to a lifetime contract in 2018. Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum also has done business with Li-Ning.
Peace in our time? It seems like too much money to walk away from, but stranger things have happened. Dennis Rodman, for example.
SEASON PASS DIGITAL OFFER
If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital subscription, which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites. With your support, we can continue bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens. Here’s where to sign up for the season pass: Mercury News, East Bay Times.