This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Chinese fans buy 10,000 bottles of NBA star’s wine in seconds
NBA star James Harden was stunned to discover he had sold out 10,000 bottles of his wine in just 10 seconds during a livestream with Chinese influencer Xiao Yang.
The Philadelphia 76ers point guard joined a recent live stream on Chinese social media site Weibo with local influencer Xiao Yang.
The social media influencer hoped to show Harden how quickly they could sell out his wine to Chinese viewers, and managed to shock the NBA star by shifting 10,000 bottles in just 10 seconds.
Livestream footage revealed Harden bursting out laughing after finding out the news before saying “no way”. He then went over to the computer to check the sales record himself, the South China Morning Post reported.
Harden teamed up with Accolade Wines to release his first signature wine collection, J-Harden. The equity partnership, which is a collaboration with Accolade Wines’ Jam Shed brand, began with a California Cabernet Sauvignon and a California Red Blend.
The J-Harden label features a silhouette of the NBA star’s face, complete with an outline of his beard and glasses sketched out in bright colours and a floral design.
Last week, Harden returned to China for the first time in four years to meet fans and attend events. However, he also caused some controversy after calling 76ers president Morey a “liar” in a filmed press conference at an Adidas-sponsored event in Beijing.
Morey is himself a controversial figure in China, having previously tweeted in support of the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Former NBA All-Star Andre Iguodala waded in on Harden’s jab at Morey in China, calling it a calculated move.
“Harden can say something and there may not be any backlash because there is a history there with Daryl Morey and China, so it was a great move out of leverage by James,” Iguadola said during an appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” basketball podcast.
“It’s going to be hard to discipline James, because what did he do wrong? And James is going to sell some shoes, that’s ultimately why he’s over there.”