NBA boss Stern OK with China-Darfur Olympic protest
National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern welcomed an NBA players' protest of Beijing hosting the Olympics because of China's role in the conflict in Darfur.
Speaking before Thursday's start of the opening game of the NBA Finals, Stern said when asked about Darfur that the NBA was "thrilled" to be part of the 2008 Games, which he expects to bring an unprecedented glimpse into China.
But he also said he was happy for players to become involved in debate on the issue.
"We encourage our players to become involved in important social issues and this is one that is fine with us," Stern said. "We think that actually supports a unique opportunity to cross cultures."
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, whose team is facing San Antonio for the NBA crown, refused to sign the protest letter written by teammate Ira Newble condemning China's government for its role in Sudanese violence.
China buys more than half of Sudan's oil, with the African nation buying Chinese weapons and technology that often find their way to the Janjaweed militia that have been criticized for killings in the Darfur region.
"China cannot be a legitimate host to the premier international event in the sporting world - the Summer Olympic Games - while it remains complicit in the terrible suffering and destruction that continues to this day," Newble wrote.
Most of the Cavaliers players signed that letter, but James said he needed more information on the situation. One of James' prime sponsors is Nike, which has major business interests in China.
Adding to the tension over the matter is the fact James will likely be the star of a US team that tries to reclaim Olympic gold next year in Beijing in a tournament that has some organizational support from the NBA.
"I'm thrilled to be part of the Olympics where the most open part of Chinese society is going to be available in its history probably," Stern said.
"You're going to get to go places and see things that have never been permitted before.
"The big step is going to be what happens after that," he said. "But right now we think we're glad to be part of that effort and we'll see."
China's government has been a supporter of the NBA, including the deals that have allowed Houston Rockets center Yao Ming to become the first Chinese NBA superstar. NBA clubs will play games in China later this year.
"We're making our plans like every other global sort of enterprise, but we think we have a unique opportunity here because the Chinese government has taken a specific rule that fitness, exercise and harmony from teamwork is particularly appropriate to basketball," Stern said.
"It's taking us to places that perhaps we never imagined we'd be."
But such deals, Stern vowed, will not push him to keep players silent upon issues such as Darfur.
"On the other hand there's no hush, hush either," Stern said. "There are issues that are out there and they'll be spoken about and there will be some negotiations, I think, on every front. And I think that's a good thing."
Stern cautioned that it was unrealistic to expect young NBA stars such as James, 22, to lead the way on the controversies of the world.
"I don't think it's fair to expect our young players to be the answer to all the issues," Stern said. "They do have an opportunity to effect change and we encourage them to do that, whether it's LeBron dealing with Nike or Ira Newble, encouraging our players to speak out on important issues across borders."
Stern also noted that billionaire Warren Buffett and director Steven Spielberg have written letters of protest to China regarding Darfur.
"I think those are all good," Stern said.
AFP
