The NBA it has also been criticized for its cooperation with international countries after a report by Human Rights Watch accused the unit of being involved in a “game changer” due to the emerging relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Report published on Tuesday focused on the league’s two pre-season games held in Abu Dhabi in October and this year’s regular season tournament, renamed the Emirates NBA Cup following the league’s multi-year marketing partnership with the airline announced in February.
A view from the opening ceremony during the preseason game between the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 6, 2024. (Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The report accused the UAE of using its new platform “as part of the Emirati government’s efforts to disrupt the masses.” violation of human rights it is responsible at home and abroad,” adding that the league is at risk of impacting those efforts because of its failure to speak about those violations of the law.
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“The NBA should be aware that the UAE hosts high-profile sporting, entertainment, and cultural events to promote a public image of openness and tolerance that contradicts the government’s systemic violation of human rights,” the report read.
“The NBA has a responsibility under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to respect human rights in all its operations. This includes adopting certain policies and doing due diligence to identify the risk of contributing to human rights violations, including burning the image of states that abuse human rights .”
Emirates NBA Cup game between Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 15, 2024, Toronto, Canada. (Photos by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty)
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The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
For the third straight season, the NBA is hosting two preseason games alongside the reigning champions Boston Celtics and the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi in early October. This was part of a multi-year 2021 partnership signed with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
In February, the league also announced Emirates as the NBA’s Official Global Airline Partner and the NBA’s first-ever referee jersey partner.
Detroit Pistons’ Tobias Harris talks with referee Scott Foster during the Emirates NBA Cup game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photos by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty)
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This new relationship follows the debacle of 2019 when Chinese state television decided not to broadcast two NBA exhibition games due to the league’s reaction to comments made by the former. Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
According to a report from ESPN, that ban has lasted for 18 months and more than 10 Chinese sponsors have suspended or withdrawn from their contracts.
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