"Yao Ming Steps Down as Head of China's Struggling Basketball League"

The Shanghai Sharks and Jiangsu Dragons were sent packing from the Chinese Basketball Association's (CBA) League Finals last month for nefarious behavior, and now an NBA All-Star who may be familiar to basketball fans has stepped away from league management.

"Former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming has stepped down as head of China's struggling national basketball league," reported an official statement from the CBA. Yao, who was drafted as the Rockets' first pick in 2002, had been leading commercialization efforts since he was appointed in 2017.

In his departure statement, the CBA expressed their gratitude for Yao's service to the league, but no reason was given for his resignation. Nevertheless, the decision came after allegations of corruption plagued the CBA for some time. Taking over in Yao's stead is veteran sports journalist Xu Jicheng, who previously served on committees bidding for and overseeing the Beijing 2008 and Winter Olympics in 2019.