China agreed to allow Yao Ming to play in the NBA. He will undoubtedly make millions during his career. How much of his earning does he get to keep? Or does it all go to his government?
I’d imagine if he is still a chinese national he will not get one penny. I could be wrong.
From ESPN:
Yao’s Contract
How will Yao’s contract be divided? This is open to interpretation, but it has been reported and confirmed by at least a source in this country that 50 percent of Yao’s salary gets divided among the Chinese governing body of sport, the Chinese Basketball Association and the Shanghai Sharks. The other 50 percent is divided among Yao and anyone who has helped him become successful. A vague dispersal of funds, to say the least.
I can’t give you a cite on this, but,…
I recall reading somwhere - where, I can’t remember -…
That after all is said, done, split and after taxes, Yao will receive roughly $50,000.00
Couldn’t he simply defect (as Cubans do and former Soviets did) if he wanted to and keep his salary?
Yeah, I know, he probably has family over there and what not, but, suppose he didn’t, or was willing to just abandon everything in China…
Zev Steinhardt
IANAL but it seems that his nationality or citizenship or immigration status would not be relevant to the enforcability of the contract which cedes portions of his salary to other parties. He could always file suit to block those disbursements, I suppose, under the theory that the provision is invalid based on coersion and then it’d be up to the judge/jury to decide.