Yao Ming’s possible retirement won’t hurt the popularity of the league in China: NBA Executives
Yao Ming’s contract with the Houston Rockets will expire on 30th of June and still there is no definite answer to his future. The 7 foot 6 inch centre’s 2010-2011 season was full of uncertainty and he missed the whole
season after developing a stress fracture in his left ankle in December. Ming played only five games in the last season with an average of 10.2 points per game.
Houston Rockets’ owner Leslie Alexander had expressed his disappointment at the plight of Ming at that time, “This is very sad. This is a very disappointing moment in the history of the Rockets organization, for our wonderful fans,
for the city of Houston and for everybody in our organization. I feel terrible for Yao."
The Rockets have stated that they would like to extend Yao’s contract if he is healthy, but if the rumours are to be believed, the big man is contemplating retirement form NBA in case he does not recover from his injury. This will
certainly be a huge setback to the Rockets, who are in the rebuilding. More importantly, NBA’s popularity in China might also take a big hit.
However, various NBA executive believe otherwise.
There has been a general consensus that even with the retirement of Yao, the popularity of the league which has received a huge boost in the recent years, will not be trimmed down.
David Shoemaker, who was recently hired as the CEO of NBA China said on Ming, "I don't see (Yao's) uncertainty is having a negative impact. In fact, I think it has generated a whole lot of interest,"
Yao has been a sensation in NBA, ever since he first emerged on the scene as the number one draft pick in 2003. Over the years, Ming not only bewitched the league with his game, he also made place into the hearts of people with
his noble demeanour. He has been China’s most popular athlete in the last decade and has become a global star. Shoemaker paying tribute to Yao’s contribution said.
"Yao has done amazing things to grow interest in the NBA in China. With the help of charismatic role models like him, the NBA has already built a strong foundation. I am very confident of maintaining the momentum upwards."
An eight-time NBA All-Star, Ming posted the best performance of his career during the 2006-2007 season when he averaged 25.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
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