Media Commentator: Yao Ming’s Resignation Does Not Mean a Bright Future for Chinese Basketball; He Is Not Good at Lowering His Posture to Build Relationships

On October 31, news of Yao Ming’s resignation as the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) became a hot topic. Media commentator Yang Yi also discussed this issue in a program.

The current situation in Chinese basketball cannot be entirely blamed on Yao Ming; his resignation does not mean a bright future for Chinese basketball.

Yang Yi: Saying that Yao Ming’s resignation means a brighter future for Chinese basketball is a bit excessive. With Yao stepping down, it’s unclear who will take over—perhaps a vice-chairman or someone appointed from outside. Whoever comes in, it’s unlikely that Chinese basketball will see an immediate improvement. The poor performance of the national teams in recent years, especially the men’s team, cannot be solely attributed to Yao Ming. It’s not that he has no responsibility, but it’s not entirely his fault either. We can’t blame everything on him.

Yao Ming’s resignation does not mean he will return home to enjoy a peaceful life; there are other arrangements for him after he returns to Shanghai.

Yang Yi: I heard about the resignation last week, but I didn’t expect it to be approved so quickly. This was somewhat predictable given the timing. Before the Olympics, it was mentioned that the Olympic results were crucial, particularly for the women’s and three-on-three basketball teams. The question was whether they could achieve breakthroughs and secure medals. However, the results were disappointing, and adjustments were expected after the Olympics. I didn’t anticipate such a swift approval, regardless of who requested it. Some say that after resigning, Yao Ming will return to being a businessman. If he indeed steps down as CBA chairman, it will mark the end of an era in Chinese basketball.

Yao Ming is not good at lowering his posture to build relationships, leading to various communication issues.

Yang Yi: Yao Ming is not adept at lowering his posture to manage relationships. This doesn’t mean he’s involved in underhanded dealings, but rather that he doesn’t excel at navigating social dynamics. In China, where personal connections are important, this is quite normal. For example, if a CBA owner provides significant support for your work and matches, and makes important contributions to the national team, shouldn’t you express gratitude or offer some form of reciprocation?

This includes maintaining long-term communication with officials from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). In these situations, one needs to be more humble, unlike the past when he was a major celebrity and star. He is too idealistic and finds it difficult to lower himself. He has always expected others to give him face, but how can he give face to others? In recent years, relations with FIBA have become strained for various reasons. FIBA, holding so many sponsors’ funds from China, has shown no favoritism in groupings, naturalization policies, or officiating during games. Has the relationship been properly managed with them?