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In an look on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show on Thursday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) had some selection phrases for the NBA.
“And I’ll tell you something right now: The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has bigger balls than the NBA,” Cruz mentioned.
Cruz’s zinger is in response to WTA chief Steve Simon saying the suspension of occasions in China. The suspension stems from the disappearance of Chinese tennis participant Peng Shuai. Shuai went lacking after alleging {that a} high-ranking Chinese authorities official raped her, as written by OutKick’s Joe Kinsey.
“I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong,” Simon mentioned. “In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai just isn’t allowed to speak freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault.
“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.”
Cruz straight mentions the NBA, which has come beneath fireplace for its silence on issues happening in China. Celtics heart Enes Kanter Freedom has been outspoken towards Lakers ahead LeBron James and Nike for being hypocritical on social points.
“They stand for Black Lives Matter in America — amazing. They stand for the Latino community. No Asian hate. They stand with the LGBTQ community,” Freedom mentioned on Tuesday. “But in terms of a number of the international locations on the market, like China, they continue to be silent. Obviously they’re utilizing these gamers to develop into the face, like Cristiano Ronaldo for soccer, LeBron for basketball, and another athletes. But they’re turning into puppets.
“I feel like we need to be careful of what we are wearing, because every time you put those items on your feet or back, there’s so much blood or sweat or oppression on those items.”
By the WTA pulling occasions out of China, the tour figures to lose some huge cash. Simon mentioned the WTA and China had been engaged on the biggest and most important Finals deal within the 45 years because the WTA was based.
In 2019, tournaments held in China totaled $30.4 million in prize cash, together with $14 million for the WTA Finals.
Follow Nick Geddes on Twitter @NickGeddesNews and on Instagram @nick.geddes.
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