NBA Blocks People From Being Able To Order ‘FreeHongKong’ Customizable Jerseys, But ‘Kill Cops’ Remain Available
The National Basketball Association’s online store has blocked people from ordering customizable jerseys that featured “FreeHongKong” as the print on the back of the jersey.
Sports commentator Clay Travis posted on Twitter a video that showed that the NBA was blocking the jersey when the name entered was “FreeHongKong.” In another attempt, when using “FreeHongKonu,” the site allowed it.
The Daily Wire also reported that they attempted to order a jersey with the “FreeHongKong” text, but only got the message “We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered. Please try a different entry.”
Travis wrote on Twitter, calling fans, “The NBA bans you, the fan, from putting #freehongkong on customized league jerseys even as they allow players to wear customized jerseys.”
The NBA bans you, the fan, from putting #freehongkong on customized league jerseys even as they allow players to wear customized jerseys. pic.twitter.com/px9enQa1qk
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 13, 2020
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) retweeted Travis’s tweet, saying, “Of course - @NBA Incorporated doesn’t dare offend the paymasters in #Beijing!”
Of course - @NBA Incorporated doesn’t dare offend the paymasters in #Beijing! https://t.co/vRe8aspbln
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 13, 2020
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) said that because the NBA makes billions of dollars in China, it’s no wonder “it’s afraid to stand up to the #CCP and fight for the millions of people being persecuted in #HongKong right now—because it’s deep in the CCP’s pocketbook.”
The NBA makes BILLIONS of dollars in #China.
— Michael Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 13, 2020
No wonder it's afraid to stand up to the #CCP and fight for the millions of people being persecuted in #HongKong right now — because it's deep in the CCP's pocketbook.
The NBA should side with freedom, not oppression! #FreeHongKong https://t.co/ANqehQZR0Q
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) also commented, accusing the NBA of choosing profits over human rights. “More evidence of the @NBA’s shameful cowardice and unwillingness to stand up for human rights in China. This is mind-boggling,” he wrote.
More evidence of the @NBA’s shameful cowardice and unwillingness to stand up for human rights in China. This is mind-boggling.
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) July 13, 2020
The NBA and its players have chosen profits over human rights. They’re siding with Xi and the CCP over those fighting for their freedom. https://t.co/H0HSQRIqSW
The Washington Free Beacon tested different combinations and phrases and found that the NBA allowed these phrases except “FreeHongKong” to be printed on their customizable jerseys:
- F—K HONG KONG
- DEFUND POLICE
- ABOLISH COPS
- BEWARE OF JEWS
- SNEAKY JEWS
- BAN GYPSIES
- XI FOR LIFE
- CANCEL ISRAEL
- NINE 11 HOAX
- END TAIWAN
- ENSLAVE TIBET
- TRUMP HAS AIDS
- PENCE IS GAY
- UYGHURS LIE
Daily Caller reporter David Hookstead got on the phone with the NBA online store to verify if people can’t really order the “FreeHongKong” jerseys. He posted the audio in his Twitter, “Sales rep says I can’t buy a FreeHongKong jersey, but I can buy a KillCops jersey if I want one.”
I'm on the phone with the NBA store right now. Sales rep says I can't buy a FreeHongKong jersey, but I can buy a KillCops jersey if I want one.
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) July 13, 2020
Here is audio of the NBA store telling me I can't buy a FreeHongKong jersey, but I can buy a KillCops jersey.
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) July 13, 2020
Eventually, once they realized what was happening, they claimed they couldn't sell me anything because of high call volume and system error. pic.twitter.com/S9bdj9xgXU
Even NBA star Lebron James lowered his head to Communist China. Commenting on Daryl Morey’s now-deleted pro-Hong Kong tweet, he said that Morey “wasn’t educated on the situation.” “So many people could have been harmed, not only financially, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” James added.
LeBron James rips Daryl Morey, says Morey was uneducated. Says, “We do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negatives that come with that too.” Really. pic.twitter.com/ZTw6a3FZ5n
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 15, 2019
Daryl Morey is the general manager of the Houston Rockets, and has tweeted his support for Hong Kong before, saying, “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” Although his tweet has since been deleted, it went viral in China, which drew outrage from Chinese fans and sponsors.
Even NBA fans mocked the NBA for banning the purchase of “FreeHongKong” jerseys, as a response, they edited their own jerseys and mocked China, putting texts like “China Owns Me,” and “Obey China” on the back.
The NBA bans you, the fan, from putting #freehongkong on customized league jerseys even as they allow players to wear customized jerseys. pic.twitter.com/px9enQa1qk
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 13, 2020
You beat me to it. pic.twitter.com/tRXWdgt13l
— Jaded Misanthrope🌺☯️☮️ (@SoulsOfTheFree) July 13, 2020