bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions were handed the largest fine in Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) history after a pre-match promotional poster upset authorities.
Thursday’s 1 million yuan fine (US$ 143,500) came within hours of a social media post that depicted the team’s lion mascot in the style of Communist Party propaganda.
Specifically, the image was a reference to the founder of the People’s Republic of China Mao Zedong.
The statement from the CBA said that the poster had “extremely negative social impacts” and that the person responsible would be banned by the club from working with the CBA for life.

Lions players were also depicted with red neckerchiefs in the style of children in the revolution
The poster also fell foul of the CBA because of the slogan on it.
If you are backward, you will take a beating
Slogan on Zhejiang Guangsha Lions poster
That said “If you are backward, you will take a beating”, which is a phrase often used in reference to the Opium War.
Then there were the words of the accompanying post on social media site Sina Weibo, while not directly referencing those used by the CCP in the Communist Revolution, did strongly echo them.
“Guangsha vs Bayi. Long live the Red spirit,” it said along with the time and date of the match. Bayi Rockets are the side of the People’s Liberation Army.
The Lions went on to beat Bayi on Thursday night by 95-76.
Teams in the Chinese Basketball Association and the Chinese Super League have begun to make match-specific promotional posters in recent years.
The CBA, which is chaired by former NBA star Yao Ming, has never issued such a large fine before.


Copy NBA, make Hong Kong basketball China’s G League to save sport in city, local star says

Hong Kong kingpins South China face tough start in return to elite regional competition

Meet the Chinese teenager already being compared to NBA star Victor Wembanyama

Chinese players often lack ‘survival instinct’ needed to thrive in NBA, Yao Ming says

CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

CBA hands down record fine to team using Communist Party iconography in game poster

CBA chairman Yao Ming at the Basketball World Cup. Photo: AFP

Image: Weibo

Jeremy Lin’s 28 points not enough as Beijing Ducks dealt huge upset by struggling Fujian Sturgeons

Jeremy Lin on his way to scoring 28 points as Beijing Ducks are surprised by Fujian Sturgeons. Photo: Xinhua

Jeremy Lin mourns sudden death of close friend Godfrey Gao as Beijing Ducks ease to 22-point blowout

Jeremy Lin (centre) at his celebrity charity game with Godfrey Gao (left) and Jay Chou (right).

Sport

Basketball


1 million yuan fine comes within hours of social media post that depicts the team’s lion mascot in the style of Communist Party propaganda



1 million yuan fine comes within hours of social media post that depicts the team’s lion mascot in the style of Communist Party propaganda.


CBA hands down record fine to team using Communist Party iconography in game poster

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} 1 million yuan fine comes within hours of social media post that depicts the team’s lion mascot in the style of Communist Party propaganda

1 million yuan fine comes within hours of social media post that depicts the team’s lion mascot in the style of Communist Party propaganda