Why Yao Ming stepped down as CBA chairman, and what it means for Chinese basketball
- Preparation for 2024 and 2028 Olympics is a ‘top project’ for the Chinese Basketball Association – and former NBA star will lead the charge
- Despite reports in Chinese media, Houston Rockets legend Yao is not expected to be in the running for FIBA presidency this summer
Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming has stepped down as the head of China’s national basketball league – but it is far from the end of his role in shaping the future of the game in his home country.
The former Houston Rockets star has designated Xu Jicheng, vice-chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), to succeed in his role as CBA league chairman.
The 42-year-old Yao, however, is retaining his position as CBA president, having been elected to his second term only last December, and will focus more on the national team going forward rather than the business side of things.
At a CBA company board of directors and shareholders’ meeting last week, Xu credited Yao for his “irreplaceable contribution” to the league, and the great foundation he had laid for it to move to a higher level in the future.
Matters concerning the salary cap of local players, as well as foreign players for the 2023-24 season, were also discussed and finalised at the meeting.
According to Chinese media reports, the rise of Xu had been a long time coming, as the 62-year-old had been managing the league and attending league-related activities since last year, including the 2022 CBA draft.