NBA Criticized for UAE Partnership Amid Rights Concerns

NBA star Stephen Curry expressed his ambition to win a fifth championship, which would elevate him to the same status as legendary players like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Meanwhile, the NBA is facing backlash for its partnership with the United Arab Emirates' Department of Culture and Tourism, which has allowed for preseason games in Abu Dhabi. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, accuse the league of 'sportswashing' the UAE's human rights violations, which include systemic oppression and military support to abusive regimes abroad. The UAE's track record includes a zero-tolerance policy for dissent and severe penalties for human rights defenders. The NBA has been urged to conduct due diligence regarding its operations in countries with poor human rights records. This controversy continues a pattern of criticism directed at the NBA over its international partnerships, particularly in relation to China in the past.