Conservative Legal Group Calls on DOJ to Require NBA, Commissioner to Register as Agents of CCP

An NBA logo is seen on the facade of its flagship store at the Wangfujing shopping street in Beijing, China, on Oct. 8, 2019. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

A conservative legal group has called on the Department of Justice to require the National Basketball Association (NBA) and its commissioner, Adam Silver, to register as agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The America First Legal (AFL) foundation stated that the NBA and Silver should register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires people and entities to register with the DOJ if they are lobbying or advocating on behalf of a foreign country. The NBA has an extensive and lucrative relationship with China, where the NBA is a big deal.

“The evidence is that Adam Silver and the National Basketball Association knowingly and intentionally advance the political and propaganda interests of the Chinese Communist Party and its instrumentalities in exchange for market access to the People’s Republic of China and billions of dollars in revenue. Specifically, Mr. Silver and the NBA provided publicity services to the People’s Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang,” wrote Reed Rubinstein, AFL’s senior counselor and director of oversight and investigations, in a March 15 letter to Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen.

Qin recorded a message wishing a good Chinese New Year that aired at a Washington Wizards game on Jan. 21, which Rubenstein labeled as “favorable publicity” by the NBA for the CCP. A month beforehand, he posted a video of himself shooting baskets on the Wizards’ home court before a game.

“There is substantial credible evidence that Mr. Silver and the National Basketball Association advance the political and propaganda interests of the Chinese Communist Party and its instrumentalities,” alleged Rubinstein. “In exchange for doing so at the Chinese Communist Party’s request or direction, Mr. Silver and the Association receive billions of dollars.”

“Mr. Silver and the National Basketball Association have never provided a full public accounting of their activities on behalf of, or at the direction or request of, the Chinese Communist Party. Congressional hearings, or a grand jury investigation, are likely necessary to uncover all relevant facts,” concluded Rubenstein.

“Regardless, there are ample facts to warrant an investigation by the Department of Justice to determine whether Mr. Silver and the National Basketball Association have engaged in activities covered by the Foreign Agents Registration Act but knowingly failed to register as an agent of a foreign principal as required by law. Under these circumstances, your duty to investigate and, as appropriate, to enforce the law is clear and non-discretionary.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to the DOJ and NBA for their reaction to the letter.

Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) were copied on the letter.