Media Figure: CBA Contemplates New Foreign Player Quota for WCBA, Further Diminishing Competition and Appeal

On September 20, according to media figure Fu Zhenghao, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and Deep Blue Company are considering implementing a new policy for foreign players in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) for the upcoming season, allowing a maximum of seven foreign player appearances across four quarters (with a maximum of three registered foreign players). If this policy is implemented, it could significantly impact the future development of China’s women’s basketball.

Fu Zhenghao’s original statement is as follows:

It is rumored that the CBA and Deep Blue Company are considering implementing a new foreign player quota system for the upcoming WCBA season, allowing a maximum of seven foreign player appearances across four quarters (with a maximum of three registered foreign players). Similar to the CBA, teams that finished at the bottom of the league last season will no longer receive preferential treatment regarding foreign players. Should this policy be implemented, the already stark disparity between strong and weak teams in the WCBA would likely be further exacerbated. This is especially concerning given that two new teams will join the league next season, potentially diminishing the competitiveness and appeal of the WCBA even more.

In recent years, the WCBA has been characterized by a duopoly of two dominant teams, with other teams trailing far behind. This has led to a lack of competition and predictable outcomes, often making the championship matchups clear before the season even begins. This not only harms the league’s appeal but also indirectly affects the performance of the Chinese national women’s team in major tournaments. Reflecting on the journey through the Paris Olympics, the Chinese women’s team relied on a core group from their World Cup silver medal-winning squad, yet their performance was unsatisfactory, highlighting issues such as insufficient stamina and poor adaptation to high-intensity competition. Fundamentally, these problems stem from the uneven distribution of talent within the WCBA, where top players are concentrated in just two teams, thereby limiting their exposure to high-level competition.

After the Paris Olympics, many advocated for measures to adjust the significant disparity in strength within the WCBA. However, despite the addition of two new teams for the upcoming season, plans are underway to eliminate preferential treatment for weaker teams regarding foreign players. This will undoubtedly further diminish the competitiveness and appeal of the WCBA. It is important to note that the WCBA lacks a draft system capable of quickly transforming weaker teams and does not have a salary cap to balance financial investments among teams. Implementing a uniform foreign player policy without these prerequisites may result in an even greater divide between strong and weak teams, exacerbating existing issues.