Pence Accuses Nike, NBA of Pandering to China

Vice President Mike Pence called out Nike and the NBA, criticizing them and other American businesses operating in China for “muzzling not only criticism” of the Chinese government but even muting their “affirmative expression of American values.”

Citing reports that Nike stores in China removed Houston Rockets’ merchandise from their stores, the vice president said that while the company “promotes itself as a social justice champion,” they “check their social conscious at the door” when it comes to Hong Kong.

He then turned his attention to the NBA’s feud with...

Vice President Mike Pence offered a withering critique of Nike and the National Basketball Association in a Thursday speech, saying the sports apparel giant and pro-basketball league caved to Beijing pressure over comments made earlier this month by one of its officials in support of Hong Kong protesters.

Speaking in Washington, Pence ripped Nike Inc. NKE, +0.05% for pulling Houston Rockets merchandise from its China stores after the general manager of the team, Daryl Morey, voiced support, in a now-deleted tweet, for the freedom of expression of antigovernment protesters in...