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NBA to Play 2 Preseason Games in China in 2025 After 2019

2024-12-06

The NBA, a global sports phenomenon, is set to make a significant comeback to China. After a five-year hiatus, the league is planning to play two preseason games in Macao in October 2025. This marks the first action by the NBA in China since 2019, when a tweet by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey sparked a diplomatic incident.

"NBA's Reentry - A Boon for Basketball Enthusiasts"

The Impact of the 2019 Incident

The NBA's absence from China after the 2019 incident was a major setback. Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that the league lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the aftermath. This incident highlighted the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures and values. The NBA has since learned from this experience and is now looking to rebuild its relationship with China. 1: The 2019 tweet by Daryl Morey supporting protests in Hong Kong led to the suspension of NBA games in China. This was a wake-up call for the league, as it realized the significance of maintaining good relations with the country. The NBA has since taken steps to address these concerns and show its commitment to China. 2: The five-year absence from the Chinese market was a challenging period for the NBA. The league had to find alternative ways to engage with fans and maintain its global presence. However, the return to China is a sign that the NBA is committed to regaining its foothold in the world's largest sports market.

The Role of Key Players

The Brooklyn Nets, owned by Joe Tsai, a Taiwan-born entrepreneur and chairman of Alibaba, will play a crucial role in the NBA's return to China. Tsai's connection to China and his business acumen make him a key figure in the league's efforts to reconnect with the country. 1: Joe Tsai's ownership of the Nets gives the team a unique advantage in returning to China. His background and influence in the business world can help facilitate smooth negotiations and partnerships with Chinese entities. The Nets' presence in China in 2019 was a testament to their popularity and potential in the market. 2: Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks and the president of the Sands Corp., which owns the Venetian Arena where the games will be played, is also an important figure. His role in organizing and managing the games will be crucial in ensuring a successful return for the NBA.

The Significance of the Games

The two preseason games in Macao are more than just a sporting event. They represent a renewed commitment by the NBA to expand its global reach and engage with fans in China. 1: These games will provide an opportunity for NBA players to showcase their skills in front of a Chinese audience. It will also help to promote basketball culture and inspire the next generation of Chinese basketball players. The NBA's return to China is a win-win situation for both the league and the country. 2: From a business perspective, the games will generate significant revenue and exposure for the NBA. It will also help to restore the league's brand image in China and strengthen its position in the global market. The NBA's return to China is a strategic move that will pay dividends in the long run.

Jeremy Bloom, the former Olympic freestyle skier and Colorado football player, is set to take on the role of the new CEO of the X Games. This significant appointment was announced on Thursday, marking a new chapter in the history of the renowned sports event. With his dual-sport background and diverse experiences, Bloom brings a unique perspective to the leadership of the X Games.

Personal Honor and Professional Milestone

In a heartfelt statement, Bloom expressed his deep sense of honor in being entrusted with the leadership of the X Games. "The opportunity to lead the X Games is more than just a professional milestone — it’s a deeply personal honor," he said. This sentiment reflects his passion and connection to the world of sports and action sports.

The Winter X Games in Aspen

The winter X Games are scheduled to take place in Aspen next month, and Bloom is excited to be a part of this iconic event. "Returning to my roots in sports and action sports, in particular, feels like coming home. The X Games is an iconic brand, and I have immense admiration and respect for our athletes, who are truly the best in the world," he added. His love for the sport and the athletes is evident in his words.

Bloom's journey in sports is truly remarkable. As a dual-sport standout, he pursued his Olympic dreams on the mogul-filled slopes and his NFL aspirations on the football field for the CU Buffaloes. However, his path was not without challenges. He got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and have sponsors in skiing to fund his Olympic quest. The NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and ski professionally after he received endorsement money for his quest. But times have changed, and now athletes can benefit from name, image and likeness.

His athletic achievements are widely recognized. Bloom was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 as a wide receiver/kick returner and had a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After that, he branched out into philanthropy and started "Wish of a Lifetime" in 2008. This foundation has granted thousands of wishes for older adults, showcasing his compassion and commitment to making a difference. Two years later, he co-founded the business-to-business marketing software company Integrate and served as the CEO after it was acquired by Audax Private Equity. He then stepped down to take over at the X Games.

Jeff Moorad's Praise

Jeff Moorad, a partner at MSP and executive chairman of X Games, expressed his enthusiasm about Bloom's appointment. "We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy as the leader of X Games. His dedication, athletic experience and proven track record of building and managing successful companies will be instrumental in continuing to elevate our X Games properties and the X Games League," he said. This endorsement highlights Bloom's qualifications and potential to drive the growth of the X Games.

Regarding his discipline, moguls, which is not currently part of the X Games, Bloom wrote via a text: "They don’t have my sport, (asterisk)yet." This shows his determination to bring his signature event to the X Games and make it an even more inclusive and exciting platform for athletes.

Andrew Webster, an entertainment editor with a focus on streaming, virtual worlds, and Pokémon video games, has been with The Verge since 2012 and has written over 4,000 stories. Now, the League of Legends universe is expanding with a physical card game.

Unveiling the Physical Card Game Adventure in the League of Legends Universe

Project K: A Unique Gaming Experience

The physical game currently goes by the codename Project K and is set to launch in China in early 2025. Riot Games' announcement today reveals that they are developing a physical trading card game within the League universe. This game is being led by director Dave Guskin and producer Chengran Chai. According to Riot, Project K has unique gameplay that truly shines when played with friends in person. Just take a look at the images below to get a sense of what this game has to offer.There aren't many details available yet about Project K, but it's clear that Riot is taking their time to ensure its success. They are working with an unnamed partner in China to make this launch happen. As for a global release, Riot is being cautious and looking for the right publishing partners.

The Expanding League of Legends Universe

The League of Legends universe has been expanding rapidly in recent years. So far, we've seen mobile games like Teamfight Tactics and Wild Rift, the Netflix series Arcane, and the competitive fighting game 2XKO, which is expected to launch next year. However, not all of these spinoffs have been successful. In January, Riot announced that they were cutting more than 500 jobs, which included shutting down Riot Forge Games and making some changes to Legends of Runeterra. Legends of Runeterra, a mobile card game that launched in 2020, didn't perform as well as needed.

Card Games' Moment and Project K's Timing

The news of Project K comes at a time when card games are experiencing another surge in popularity, largely driven by the new smartphone version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. This presents an exciting opportunity for Riot to enter the physical card game market with their own unique offering. With Project K, Riot hopes to capture the hearts and minds of card game enthusiasts around the world.