TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese streaming network Tencent has stopped broadcasting live NBA games involving the Philadelphia 76ers after the team hired Daryl Morey, who openly voiced support for Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors last year, as its new president.

As the NBA opens its new season, fans from around the world are excited to see their favorite teams back on TV. However, Tencent has failed to broadcast any games featuring the 76ers or the Houston Rockets, despite the latter's popularity in China due to its selection of Chinese player Yao Ming (姚明) in 2002.

Foreign media have linked Tencent's refusal to screen the two teams to Morey's tweet supporting the pro-democracy protest movement in Hong Kong in October last year. Despite the immense backlash in China, the Rockets’ then-general manager has said that he remains "very comfortable" with what he did to support his friends in the special administrative region.

During an interview with ESPN last week, Morey said that he was worried the Hong Kong tweet would end his NBA career before he joined the 76ers. He said he was also concerned about his family's safety after infuriating "the second-most powerful government" in the world, reported CNA.