NBA's UAE Partnership Under Scrutiny Amid Sudan Conflict and Sportswashing Allegations
The Emirates NBA Cup, an in-season NBA tournament held in Abu Dhabi, is part of a broader partnership between the NBA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This partnership also includes preseason games in Abu Dhabi, a sponsorship with Emirates Airlines, and plans for an NBA Global Academy at NYU Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the NBA is reportedly planning a new NBA-branded European league set to launch in 2027.
However, the UAE's role in Sudan's civil war has raised significant concerns. The UAE is accused of backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan by providing funding and arms. The RSF has been implicated in mass killings, sexual violence, and ethnic cleansing amid the conflict, which began in April 2023 and includes major confrontations in Darfur and around Khartoum. Death toll estimates vary widely: UN and aid agencies report around 20,000 confirmed deaths, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine's Sudan Research Group cites over 61,000 deaths in Khartoum state alone (including 26,000 directly from violence), while U.S. envoy Tom Perriello has suggested the figure could be as high as 150,000. Sudan's military government has filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing the UAE of genocidal complicity in West Darfur, which the UAE denies.
Critics highlight the link between UAE funding and arming of the RSF with war crimes committed in Sudan and question the ethical implications of the NBA's ties to the UAE. The NBA maintains that its relationships with the UAE follow guidance from the U.S. State Department and emphasize broadcasting games to over 200 countries and developing youth programs. However, this partnership is framed by some as sportswashing, potentially normalizing a regime accused of significant human rights abuses.
Beyond basketball, the UAE's sports diplomacy extends to hosting cricket’s Asia Cup, UFC events, Formula 1 races in Abu Dhabi, and a broader sports-tourism initiative. This includes ownership of Manchester City Football Club and other investments. Critics argue that such high-profile sporting connections serve to whitewash the UAE's autocratic governance and controversial foreign engagements.
