Dwight Howard learned a tough lesson about the limits of freedom of expression in the NBA, particularly when it comes to international politics. While players like LeBron James and Steph Curry have been vocal about their political opinions, often critiquing domestic figures like Donald Trump and supporting candidates like Kamala Harris, Howard’s experience demonstrated that there are boundaries when it comes to sensitive international topics.
In 2014, while Howard was playing for the Houston Rockets, he tweeted “Free Palestine,” a statement that quickly caught the attention of NBA commissioner Adam Silver, as well as his agents and others within the league. Howard recalls that within minutes, he received a call urging him to take the tweet down, warning him that it could lead to serious trouble, even threatening his standing within the league. This quick intervention from the league, led by Silver in his first year as commissioner, illustrated the NBA’s policy on international political discourse. According to Howard, it was a surprise to see how swiftly the NBA acted in such matters.
The NBA’s strict stance on international politics is likely due to the sensitive nature of such topics, particularly when they concern conflicts such as the Palestine-Israel issue. The league has often focused on protecting its global interests and avoiding political conflicts, especially those involving countries with significant business relationships, such as China.
A similar situation occurred with Daryl Morey, the current Philadelphia 76ers GM, when he tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protests in 2019. The backlash from China was swift and severe, leading to a suspension of the NBA’s association with the country and a loss of lucrative endorsement deals, amounting to hundreds of millions in revenue. While the NBA has worked to mend its relationship with China since then, the incident served as a significant lesson for the league on the potential consequences of players or personnel commenting on international political issues.
In more recent examples, players like Patrick Beverley have demonstrated the caution instilled in them by the league, reacting carefully to any political statements related to international matters. During a live stream, when a fan shouted “Free Palestine,” Beverley tried to pacify the situation by emphasizing that he came in peace. His response highlights how the NBA’s position has led players to steer clear of potentially controversial international political statements.
In contrast to the freedom to speak on domestic matters, such as issues surrounding race or social justice, the NBA appears determined to avoid embroiling itself in international conflicts. Thus, it’s clear that while NBA players are generally encouraged to speak their minds, international political commentary is a delicate subject that the league prefers its players to avoid.