Playing in NBA Might Cost China's Ming Plenty Government Entitled to Half His Pay By MARTIN FACKLER .c The Associated Press SHANGHAI, China (April 25) -- Chinese basketball star Yao Ming could be forced to hand over half of his income to China's government and sports authorities if he joins the NBA. Regulations issued by the China Basketball Association on April 10 include complicated procedures for Chinese professional players seeking to play overseas, according to Wednesday's Shanghai Morning Post. The newspaper criticized the regulations as "complicating and confusing Yao Ming's NBA prospects.'' The 7-foot-5 Yao is considered a possible first selection in the June 26 NBA Draft. Yao's current team, the Shanghai Sharks, finally gave him permission Friday to enter the NBA Draft after blocking him for years. "I've already had many frustrations,'' the newspaper quoted Yao as saying. "A few more won't break me.'' The Yangzi Evening News, a Hangzhou-based newspaper, reported Thursday that the new regulations would not affect Yao's plans. It quoted China Basketball Association assistant director Hu Jia as saying his organization "has always supported Yao Ming's joining the NBA Draft.'' As a high draft pick, Yao would likely to receive at least $2 million in his first year and even bigger contracts in years to follow. That's a big jump for a 22-year-old center whose parents now ride to his games on bicycles. But Chinese professional players like Yao will only be allowed to keep half of all earnings under the new regulations, which cover endorsements as well as salaries. The rules state that players overseas must give 30 percent of earnings to the China Basketball Association -- China's state-run equivalent of the NBA. Government agencies will take another 20 percent, the Shanghai Morning Post said. It is unclear whether this must be handed over before or after paying U.S. taxes. It was also unclear whether these regulations were new or merely formalized existing practices. Thursday's Beijing Times reported athletes overseas already pay half their income to the government. Two Chinese players are already in the NBA -- Dallas Mavericks forward Wang Zhizhi and Denver Nuggets center Menk Bateer. Beijing routinely requires other citizens -- from engineers to concert pianists -- to turn over large chunks of what they earn abroad. The newly issued regulations also require professional players to be ready to return to China at any time, ostensibly to join the national team. They can also be punished for revealing the national team's plays and strategies. Violators will be banned from the national team and from all domestic play in China for at least one year, the Shanghai Morning Post said.
This could hurt Ming's draft status. But could very well screw china after they try to screw him For example: Ming's drafted 12th because of this fiasco well if china wants half his money it will put ming in a financial problem.
No matter whose pasties are better, everybody is forgetting the Red Chinese (respects to Taiwan) admire Rudy and his stature as an international coach. Houston is recognized as an international city because of the shipping and oil bidness, so the Rockets are palatable to Stern and the Red Chinese. Besides if the Rockets win #1, Ming remains a Rocket, just not a Chinese Rocket.
