We tip off with basketball, and every player wants their own shoe deal, but for Chinese big man Yi Jianlian -- it was a case of what is the deal with these shoes. The footwear being the league-sponsored Li Ning kicks -- and he even took them off in protest during a game this week. The CBA has a deal with Li Ning, and every domestic player is supposed to wear them, but Yi who is dealing with an ankle problem decided to take them off, claiming they bothered him. His actions have led to a one-game suspension. Yi has issued an apology for his behavior and is willing to accept punishment and communicate better with the league.
The CBA made the annoucement on its official website that Yi will be suspended one game, which happens to be tonight against Jilin. The Guangdong player has also been fined 50-thosuand RMB, our about $7,400s. In the second quarter of a game earlier this week against Shenzhen, Yi troubled by his footwear decided to take off his shoes and left them on the floor. He went straight to the bench.
He returned, but was now wearing his Nike shoes, whom he has a sponsorship agreement with. That did not go over well with the referee who sent him off the court. Yi was back again in the third quarter, now allowed to wear his own shoes, and played the rest of the game.
