The Windy City is best known for its unique hot dogs, deep-dish pizzas, jazz music, gangster history, and various attractions, such as Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, Magnificent Aquarium, and the Skydeck. Hence, gambling is not an activity most associate with either Illinois or Chicago, despite the Prairie State and the home of Al Capone boasting a storied past with this hobby, dating back to the 1830s, when horse races and riverboat casinos ran rampant all over Illinois.

Well, for the uninformed, Chicago may not be New Jersey, but several gaming establishments are operating not far from the city, hosting traditional table games of chance and slots. Those who do not want to leave the city borders but wish to do some gambling, all the same, can partake in some bingo fun at multiple parlors across the greater Chicago area. It is illegal for anyone to operate lottery draws without first attaining a license from the Illinois Department of Revenue. Thankfully, multiple organizations have gotten such approval and offer bingo draws in Chi-town.

Of course, online bingo games are always an option for those that wish to test their luck remotely. Individuals that want to see if they can yield profits from their good fortune while socializing with others should visit the following Chicago spots.

Best Places to Play Bingo in Chicago

According to the official Illinois Bingo website, a branch of USA Bingo, over fifty venues in Chicago, which are members of this network, run regular bingo games. Most of these are churches and schools that organize charitable draws. Nevertheless, there are also a few dedicated lotto-style parlors in the city and multiple bars that feature bingo games with cash prizes. The latter has been the cause for some controversy, as establishment owners have got around the state’s not-for-profit bingo law by employing a sweepstakes model instead of the standard participant buy-in one.

Below we rattle off what most veteran players believe are the best places to play bingo in Second City.

The Met

Located on 4100 South Martin Luther King Drive, the Met is near Bowen Avenue and 41st Grand Boulevard. The Met is short for the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. It is an impressive building that runs Monday Bingo Blitz games in its gymnasium. Draws usually start at around 5 PM, and their starting cost is $20. There is a concession stand here that sells decent food and drinks. The Met will also consider providing transportation for groups larger than five people.

The American Legion Post 1941

Located on 900 South La Grange Road, around twelve miles from downtown Chicago, the American Legion Post 1941 is the Illinois chapter of the American Legion, which numbers over one hundred thousand members in Illinois. Same as the Met, it also runs bingo draws on Mondays, with doors opening at 6 PM, and the games starting at 7 PM. What is unique about this location is that it offers a $10,000 jackpot and that visitors can play ten games for $15.

City Life Restaurant & Lounge

City Life is a dive bar with low-lighting, comfort food, and the occasional bingo game on 712 E 83rd Street. It is open every day of the week, except for Sundays, from 12 PM to 12 AM. City Life is a family-owned joint that has attained a reputation for its $100 booking parties that serve pans of wings with fries and champagne. The patio here often gets praised, and so does the karaoke setup.

Columbian Club of East Chicago

Everyone can find the Columbian Club of East Chicago on 1104 Knights of Columbus Drive in the east part of town. The club features a vast hall with chandelier lighting. It can get rented for wedding receptions and the like. Most Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoons, bingo draws that place here with a max payout of $6,000.  During these events, a full-service bar is usually operational.

Best Bingo in Chicago

Per online reviews, the most novel and best bingo game in Chicago is at the Hideout. That is a prohibition-era bar on 1354 West Wabansia Avenue. It is a small space that frequently hosts live musical performances and offers dancing on its modest floor. Bingo games get organized on the Hideout’s patio, and instead of providing cash prizes, lucky players here can win rewards in the form of fruits and vegetables. It is a terrific way for locals to support Chicago’s community gardens.

To Sum Up

Chicagoans looking for some real money bingo action with dramatic prize potential should stick to playing online. The city’s establishments that host lotto-style draws cannot compete with online casinos that feature multiple bingo variants, including the popular Slingo variation that mixes slot gameplay. The wins these products provide go into several thousands of dollars.

For more gambling news and reviews, visit OUSC.

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The Chicago Bears have a new head coach in place in the form of former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. While the Bears have yet to conduct the introductory press conference for both Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles, the belief is that it will occur early next week. The reason for the delay is that Eberflus is spending this weekend interviewing coordinators for his offensive staff.

When the news of Eberflus becoming the new head coach of the Bears initially broke, it was met with instant criticism as the Bears did not hire an offensive-minded head coach to pair with second-year quarterback Justin Fields. The idea that the Bears need an offensive-minded head coach to pair with Fields is flawed logic.

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Last year, the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs and entered a pivotal offseason which would see them turn things around in a monumental way under Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley and Billy Donovan.

Also last year, the Atlanta Hawks were an Eastern Conference Finals team.

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We know you’ve missed celebrating your love. Well, now is the chance. We’ve gathered the best places for a romantic meal in the restaurant this Valentine’s Weekend in Chicago. Yes, yes. We’re talking about music, dark lights, candles, and flowers — everything you could ask for.

And don’t forget to check out our articles on Valentine’s Day date ideas and the V-Day gift guide.

302 N Green St 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607

Aba is adding an extra day of brunch on Friday, February 11 from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Additionally, special for Valentine‘s Day dinner try the Dine-In Valentine‘s Day Four-Course Mezze Feast for Two that includes a bottle of Giuliana Prosecco, Halloumi with Spicy Turmeric Cream & Grapes, Grilled Shawarma Spiced Shrimp Kebab with Fennel & Herb Salad, Crème Brûlée Pie and more for $139.95, plus tax (gratuity not included).

The mezze-style feast will be available in addition to the normal dinner menu Saturday, February 12 – Monday, February 14 beginning at 4:00 PM. Reservations are available on Tock.

118 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Join Antico Posto for Valentine‘s Day specials including Branzino Peperonata with Toasted Fregula ($27.95, plus tax), Truffle Crusted Beef Risotto with Cremini Mushrooms ($27.95, plus tax), Strawberry Cheesecake with Oreo Crust and Strawberry Coulis ($8.95, plus tax), or the Chocolate Budino Gelato! These specials will be available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery in addition to the regular menu. Make a reservation now.

2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

On Monday, February 14, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! is partnering with local organization Southside Blooms to bring you beautiful bouquets for $20 (plus tax) and single-stem roses for $3 (plus tax) this Valentine‘s Day.

Stop by the pop-up shop located inside Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Every Southside Blooms purchase directly contributes to job creation for at-risk youth and young adults in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. You can also sip on the Rosé Sangria special for dine-in only available by the glass ($11, plus tax), half pitcher ($22, plus tax) or full pitcher ($31, plus tax). The regular menu will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery.

2124 Northbrook Ct, Northbrook, IL 60062

Di Pescara is celebrating with dine-in dinner specials on Friday, February 11 – Monday, February 14, including Crunchy Crab & Shrimp Roll, Zucchini Wrapped Sea Scallops with corn, roasted red pepper risotto, Surf & Turf, and Chocolate Lava Cake.

Di Pescara will also offer a Valentine‘s Day carryout package for two featuring Ciabatta Bread, Maine Lobster Bisque, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Chocolate Covered strawberries, and more for $100, plus tax (gratuity not included). The package is only available on Monday, February 14, and must be ordered by Thursday, February 10 at 12:00 PM by calling the restaurant. The regular menu will also be available for dine-in and to-go.

74 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

Order Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two to-go including Whipped Feta with pistachios and Aleppo pepper, Filet Mignon with red wine sauce and truffle butter, Crispy Potatoes, Chocolate Chip Halva Cookie Dough (with baking instructions), and more, plus your choice of still or sparkling rosé for $139.95, plus tax (gratuity not included).

Place your order for pick-up or delivery on Friday, February 11 – Monday, February 14 between 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Orders must be placed by 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 10. Along with the regular menu, Ema will also have dinner specials for dine-in all Valentine’s Day weekend. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

59 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Celebrate Valentine‘s Day three ways with il Porcellino. The special Valentine‘s Day a la carte menu features Prosciutto Involtini with aged balsamic and arugula, Lobster Tortellini with smoked ricotta and tomato cream sauce, Barolo Braised Short Rib with garlic whipped potatoes, and Strawberry Cheesecake, available for dine-in only. There is also a to-go option for Valentine’s Dinner For Two. Reserve your spot here.

7110 Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Special for Valentine‘s Day, enjoy Baked Superior Whitefish with Door County Cherry Sauce & Wild Rice Pilaf, Filet Medallions with white cheddar crust, mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach and Sticky Toffee Date Cake. These specials will be available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery in addition to the normal lunch and dinner menus. Make a reservation here.

620 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Head to Osteria Via Stato for a multi-course dinner featuring Italian speck with pecorino Toscano and bosc pears, hand-rolled gnocchi with sage and brown butter, Butterscotch budino, and more for $74.95 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). The full a la carte menu will also be available Saturday, February 12, and Sunday, February 13. A to-go version of the multi-course dinner will also be available for $74.95 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). Place your order by 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 10, to be picked up or delivered on Monday, February 14, between 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM.

601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

Chef Bonner has created a romantic menu to enjoy at home, including a Little Gem Salad, Lobster Tortellini, Filet Medallions, and more. Available for carryout only, orders must be placed by Thursday, February 10 at 12:00 PM. The package costs $54.95 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). Items are prepared cold and include heating instructions. Saranello’s will also be offering the regular menu for dine-in, carryout, and delivery. Make a reservation now.

180 N Field Blvd, Chicago, IL 60601

Typically closed on Mondays, Avli on The Park in Lakeshore East, will open on Monday, February 14th at 5 p.m. for a special Valentine’s Day 3-course dinner ($48 per person) by Executive Chef Nikos Kapernaros featuring:

Mixed Green Salad with pumpkin, beets, celery root, pomegranate, fennel, sunflower seeds, cucumber wrap, blond raisins & champagne vinaigrette
Filet Mignon on a seafood ragu with black truffle potato puree, grilled asparagus, and sun-dried tomatoes bisque.
Chocolate Mousse Heart with strawberry gel on a cookie.

The menu items will also be available a la carte Friday, February 11 – Sunday, February 13 for dine-in and to-go. Reservations and pick-up can be booked on Tock.

Image Credit: Rewired

1100 W Thorndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

Rewired Pizza Pizza Cafe & Bar in Edgewater will feature romantic offerings for Valentine’s Day like a $49 Date Night three-course dinner menu for two and a $17 heart-shaped pizza (one topping, additional toppings +$1.60 each).

Heart-Shaped Pizzas and Date Night Menu at Rewired
Saturday, February 12 through Friday, February 18
$49 date night menu; $17 heart-shaped pizzas

Both specials are available from Saturday, February 12 through Friday, February 18. The Date Night menu features three courses with a choice of appetizer, specialty pizza or pasta, dessert, and a bottle of wine. All date night menu pizzas will be heart-shaped. As an extra treat, on Monday, February 14, diners will enjoy live piano entertainment from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reserve now on Tock.

Image Credit: UVAE

5553 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar in Andersonville invites guests to celebrate the one they love with a five-course Wine Pairing Dinner for Valentine’s Day. For $165 per couple, guests will enjoy a menu of items like Oysters on the Half Shell with pomegranate mignonette granita paired with La Maison du Cremant Sparkling Rosé, Butter Poached Lobster Salad with bibb lettuce, kumquats and tarragon citrus vinaigrette paired with Gustave Lorentz Pinot Blanc, an Artichoke Bisque with white truffle oil paired with Muga Rioja Blanco, and Surf & Turf with tenderloin medallions, seared sea scallops, sunflower seed risotto, sunchokes, beef fat aioli and pink peppercorn rosé reduction paired with Luca Reserve Malbec.

Valentine’s Day Wine Pairing Menu at Uvae
Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14
$165 per couple

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Join Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar for a special tasting for two – created just for Valentine’s Day! The menu features scallop and hamachi ceviche, kopytka, surf and turf, and more. Valentine’s Day tasting is available from February 10th through February 15th for dine-in. Available beverage pairing is $65/per person and all regular menus, reserve list, and raw bar will be available.

This pairing menu is gluten free and can accommodate Pescatarian dietary needs. Reservations are available via Tock.

Image Credit: Paul Strabbing

534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Chef Carrie and Pastry Chef Craig present a stunning afternoon tea service, featuring a selection of exotic teas, scones, crumpets and jam, pastries, finger sandwiches, and much more. Valentine’s Day Tea is available on Saturday, February 12, 2022, only. Seatings are at 1pm, 1:30pm and 2:00pm. The tickets are $90 per person excluding tax and tip. Additional beverages are also available for purchase. Make your reservation here!

456 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Enjoy a Romantic Omakase consisting of four courses plus dessert. Menu highlights include Toro Tartare with Osetra Caviar, quail egg, and taro chips; Prime Beef Tataki with fresh shaved truffles, truffle jus, and pickled daikon; Chef’s Selection 5 Kind Sashimi Platter; Lobster Tempura with wasabi aioli, pink peppercorn, and tentsuyu; Snake River Farms American Wagyu Filet with chili Ginger Sauce, grilled fingerling potatoes, and yuzu chimichurri sauce. For dessert, enjoy Chocolate Lava Cake with strawberries, white chocolate, and vanilla-rose ice cream.

Accendo Wine Flight is available for $69 per person along with Decadent Wine Pairing $85 per person. Upgrades and a la carte menu items are available. The special will be available on Sunday, February 13 and Monday, February 14 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and is $124/person. Reservations are required and can be made here.

Roka Akor Old Orchard and Roka Akor Oak Brook also have different omakase offerings. So check around and reserve for your favorite one!

1709 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

At Funkenhausen, the hand-selected menu specials will leave your taste buds in love with delicious dinner and dessert entrees that every couple will enjoy. Enjoy Parisian Gnocchi with King Crab, Lemon Butter, Tart Apple, and Pickled Fresno Peppers for a comfort meal with beautiful flavors through every bite. Finish off the night with a Chocolate Meringue Pie made with Hazelnut Anglaise and Winter Citrus. Couples can also choose from Funkenhausen’s extensive and unique wine menu, tasting delicious reds and whites from all German-speaking countries.

Image Credit: Lure Fishbar

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Lure Fishbar (616 N Rush St.), the downtown restaurant and bar serving the freshest fish selections, a complete raw bar with rotating oyster selection, and best-of-class sushi, is featuring two prix fixe menus for lovers to indulge in:

Valentine’s Day Menu: $85 per person (additional $35 per person for wine pairings), featuring Salmon Tartar, Heirloom Beets, choice of Pan Seared Dover Sole or Grilled Filet Mignon, with Chocolate Mousse Tart. Lure is also offering enhancements of raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, and crab claws ($21pp), as well as sushi and sashimi combinations ($31pp).
Classic Tasting Menu: $70 per person (additional $30pp for wine pairings) which includes Lure Deviled Eggs, Choice of Lure Crudo Tasting or Sea Urchin Bucatini Pasta, Pan Seared Diver Scallops or Whole Grilled Daurade, and ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

Reservations may be made via the website.

Image Credit: La Josie & Solazo

740 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

5600 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629

La Josie (740 W Randolph St) and the newly reopened Solazo (5600 S Pulaski Rd) are celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with a specialty shared dish for two. Parrillada features grilled skirt steak, chicken, veggies, chorizo, cebollitas and chiles toreados, served with homemade tortillas and chile de arbol salsa ($55 at La Josie, add $10 for shrimp/$39 at Solazo, add $8 for shrimp).

Solazo will feature specialty cocktails including Con Amor de Mexico made with Sol Tarasco (Aged Charanda), Abasolo (Mexican Whiskey), and La Gritona reposado (Tequila Reposado), $19; and Eso y Mas cocktail made with tequila reposado, horchata, egg white, Negra Modelo syrup, and orange, $12.

The special offerings will be available from Thursday, February 10 through Monday, February 14 for dine-in and carry-out. Reservation may be made via the websites.

Image Credit: Chiya Chai

2770 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Chiya Chai in Logan Square will offer a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe dinner menu available for carryout from Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14. For $70 per couple, each person has the choice of the Bourbon Ginger Masala or Maharaja cocktail; choice of Chili Chicken or Chili Tofu appetizer; choice of Cauliflower Peas and Potatoes, Creamy Masala Chicken or Paneer Curry; and choice of aphrodisiac Masala Chai or Pink Kashmiri Chai for dessert.

Additionally, the specialty aphrodisiac pink kashmiri chai will be available at their newly opened cafe in the Loop during the entire month of February.

712 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Storyville, the new River North bar and restaurant inspired by early 20th-century New Orleans’s red-light district, is the perfect atmosphere for a lively, romantic date. Executive Chef Louie Yu will offer specials from Friday, February 11 to Monday, February 14 including Oysters Rockefeller, with Capital Oysters, spinach, garlic, panko, and grilled lemon (four/$24); Squid Ink Linguine, with mussels, garlic, cajun marinara, garlic French bread and scallions ($36); and Molten Chocolate Cake, with ice cream, powdered sugar, and strawberries ($10).

500 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Perfect for Valentine’s Day and an intimate setting for date night with your significant other, Pigtail—the first speakeasy-style concept from José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup—offers a curated tasting experience, with five courses, four cocktails and three wines. The menu takes guests on a tour of Pigtail, featuring a selection of cocktails and wines paired perfectly with an array of creative dishes. The tasting experience is a pre-paid ticket with bookings available now on Tock, available Thursday through Sunday.

932 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

Chicago Chef Joe Flamm won Top Chef Season 15 and his Valentine’s Day offerings at his first-ever restaurant, Rose Mary, will make hearts swoon this February. Valentine’s Day 2022 at Rose Mary features specials not found on Chef Joe’s already incredible Adriatic menu. The four-course offerings come in at $75 per person and will be offered alongside Rose Mary’s regular a la carte menu. The four-courses for Valentine’s Day dishes like Chef Joe’s Tuna Crudo with crispy capers, shallot-beef fat vinaigrette and veal aioli, or his Wild Striped Bass with braised cannellini beans, charred escarole, bagna cauda duck, plum glaze, cabbage and caraway. Apple Crostata closes out the meal and it comes served with salted caramel gelato. Reservations for Valentine’s with Rose Mary are available via OpenTable.

123 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661

Chef Andrew Zimmerman and Chef Kyle Cottle at Sepia offer four courses for $115 per person this Valentine’s Day. Attention to detail runs throughout Sepia and diners will discover this through dishes like Foie Gras É Clair with pickled huckleberry, Kanpachi Crudo with winter citrus and baby turnip, Truffled Fried Chicken with dumplings and sauce perigord or the Smokey Dry Aged Squab with black vinegar, chestnut and salsify. Sepia offers Crėme Fraiche Ice Cream with huckleberry and white chocolate for dessert. For reservations, visit www.sepiachicago.com.

565 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

PROXI offers a three-course family-style menu this year for Valentine’s Day for $85 per person. Boundary-blurring decorate Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s menu with dishes like Crispy Onion Bhaji Chaat with tamarind, mint and sweet yogurt, Grilled Lamb Satay or his Vegetable and Paneer Kofta with mahkni sauce, cashew and paratha. PROXI offer’s two desserts with the Mazamorra Morado Sorbet served with pineapple jam and coconut, or a Chocolate Roll Cake with chocolate-matcha mousse and passion fruit. For reservations, visit www.proxichicago.com.

Sushi Suite

1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

The perfect spot for Valentine‘s Day, or any date-night, Sushi Suite 202 offers a Date Night Package which includes two seats for the famous 75-minute, 17-Course Omakase, plus a craft cocktail flight ($170 – $180). The experience features an intimate 6-seat sushi counter with your own private chef. The omakase menu consists of 17 delectable pieces of nigiri sushi ranging from bluefin to prized Hokkaido uni all made from sustainable fish sourced from all over the world. With a focus on craft cocktails and spirits, Sushi Suite 202 is able to create drinks suited to guests’ tastes.

The intimate space offers a warm and elegant space, complete with warm wood millwork and jewel-toned velvet furniture and features a touch of Japanese flair that elevates the ambiance. The six-seat cocktail bar is cast in stone and finished with a solid wood top. The main lounge seating area at this restaurant in the Lincoln Hotel is set up like a cozy living room with cushioned ottomans for relaxed seating and intimate side tables to hold your cocktails.

Reservations can be made on OpenTable, here.

Image Credit: Evette’s

350 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

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AT THE HEIGHT of protest over the May 2020 police murder of George Floyd, one of retired NBA star Dwyane Wade’s Twitter accounts posted: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

The tweet from an athlete celebrated for his social justice advocacy was perfectly in character. The account that it came from, however, promotes Wade’s clothing line with Chinese sports apparel company Li-Ning, which the U.S. government has accused of abetting human rights abuses.

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom has spent months condemning his NBA brethren for not doing more to draw attention to human rights abuses in China. His efforts are in addition to those of a bipartisan coalition in Congress that has called out NBA players who maintain lucrative contracts with four Chinese companies accused of being complicit in those violations. Li-Ning, Anta, Peak and 361 Degrees — all of which have NBA stars as reps — are identified by the U.S. government and human rights groups as using forced labor to produce their goods in China’s Xinjiang region. ESPN has identified Wade and at least 17 current NBA players who have such deals.

Player
Company
Precious Achiuwa (TOR)
Anta
Jimmy Butler (MIA)
Li-Ning
Alex Caruso (CHI)
Anta
Hamidou Diallo (DET)
Anta
Spencer Dinwiddie (WAS)
361 Degrees
Aaron Gordon (DEN)
361 Degrees
R.J. Hampton (ORL)
Li-Ning
Udonis Haslem (MIA)
Li-Ning
Gordon Hayward (CHA)
Anta
Kevon Looney (GSW)
Anta
Terance Mann (LAC)
Anta
CJ McCollum (POR)
Li-Ning
D’Angelo Russell (MIN)
Li-Ning
Klay Thompson (GSW)
Anta
Fred VanVleet (TOR)
Li-Ning
Dwyane Wade (retired)
Li-Ning
Andrew Wiggins (GSW)
Peak
Lou Williams (ATL)
Peak

The U.S. State Department says China is waging a targeted campaign against Muslims in Xinjiang, where more than a million Uyghurs and other minorities are held in detention camps. These groups also face abuses including forced labor, torture, involuntary sterilization, mass surveillance, family separation and repression of religious expression, according to the State Department and human rights groups.

The U.S. government views the abuse as so widespread that it presumes all goods produced in Xinjiang are tainted, unless proven otherwise. Roughly one in five cotton garments sold globally contains material from Xinjiang, and the region produces a significant portion of the world’s polysilicon, which is used to make solar panels and smartphones.

“Shame on the athletes that are aware of what is happening — who have affiliations with brands that get Xinjiang cotton,” Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, told ESPN. “And we don’t use the word genocide lightly. … It is a genocide.”

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom has used custom shoes and social media to criticize China’s human rights abuses and called out his NBA colleagues for not doing more to draw attention to these practices. AP Photo/Nick Wass

China, which hosts the Beijing Olympics in February and has faced increased scrutiny as a result, denies the accusations. “The so-called ‘forced labor’ issue is a century-old lie invented by the U.S. and other western institutions and personnel to restrict and suppress relevant Chinese enterprises and contain China’s development,” Liu Pengyu, a spokesman in China’s Washington embassy, told ESPN in a statement.

Nike, Adidas and other well-known brands that employ athlete endorsers across sports have recently moved away from cotton and other products made in Xinjiang following a global outcry. But Chinese companies, which are uniquely interested in NBA players because of the sport’s immense popularity in the country, have countered with a patriotic pledge to continue using it. This defiant stance leaves NBA players serving as pitchmen for brands accused of using the slave labor.

That role is at odds with the reputation that the NBA and its players have developed in recent years as social justice leaders and goes against the spirit of a new federal law banning imports from Xinjiang. For the NBA, the controversy only intensifies the difficult crosscurrents it must navigate doing business in basketball-obsessed China, its largest foreign market but one often accused of disregarding human rights.

SINCE THE MID-2000s, more than 50 NBA players have signed deals with Chinese brands eager to capitalize on basketball’s popularity in the world’s most populous nation. The shoe deals had been business as usual until the Trump administration formally deemed China’s actions in Xinjiang a genocide just before leaving office in January 2021. The Biden administration repeated that designation in March.

As the U.S. and other countries grow more vocal in denouncing China’s actions in Xinjiang, Congress has repeatedly called upon NBA stars to drop their deals. Those stars include Wade, who initially signed a 10-year, $75 million contract with Li-Ning in 2012 that was later converted into a lifetime agreement in 2018, ahead of Wade’s final season. Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson signed with Anta Sports in 2014 and re-upped in 2017 on a reported 10-year, $80 million deal. Trail Blazers guard and players’ association president CJ McCollum left Nike in 2017 for a richer, five-year agreement with Li-Ning, while the Hornets’ Gordon Hayward joined Anta in 2018 on a four-year deal. In 2020, Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins struck a multiyear deal with Peak, and Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon agreed to a contract with 361 Degrees, making him what the company called “the new face” of its basketball division.

Representatives for those players did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Likewise, other players and many of their representatives refused to speak on the record. “It is such a sensitive topic,” said one agent who represents a player who endorses a Chinese brand. “Nobody’s going to talk about it.”

Dwyane Wade was the face of the annual Air Jordan shoe before he left Nike for Li-Ning. He now has a lifetime deal with the Chinese brand. Visual China Group/Getty Images

In June, leaders of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to the National Basketball Players Association, asking officials to “encourage players to end their endorsement deals” with the Chinese brands. Two months later, outgoing NBPA executive director Michele Roberts responded that the union does not endorse the “commission of genocide or crimes against humanity.”

Roberts said the union would share lawmakers’ concerns with affected players, but several agents representing those with Chinese shoe deals told ESPN the union never alerted them to the request from Washington. Asked about that discrepancy, a union spokesman insisted the information had been passed along.

“The National Basketball Players Association has previously had an impressive track record of using their voice for social change, and I would like to see them do more to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang and to help their members understand the risks of partnering with companies that promote products made with forced labor,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, told ESPN. “These sponsorship deals need to end.”

Last fall, at the start of the current NBA season, the commission again called out NBA players with ties to Chinese brands in a letter asking Customs and Border Protection officials to ban the products from entering the U.S.

“We are very concerned about the sportswear companies … which have high-profile endorsements from NBA players,” the lawmakers wrote. “We do not want sports stars or other celebrity influencers to knowingly or unwittingly endorse goods made with forced labor.”

The government’s efforts culminated in a bipartisan bill President Joe Biden signed in December banning the import of goods from Xinjiang. The move came just weeks after the Biden administration announced it would not send an official delegation to the Olympics in Beijing to protest China’s human rights abuses. Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are among the other nations joining in the diplomatic boycott of the Games.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league has no authority over player endorsements. “Players choose which sportswear companies they partner with, and those partnerships are not subject to approval by the NBA,” he said in an email to ESPN.

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In recent years, NBA players have been lauded for their social justice activism, with many taking part in protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. But Louisa Greve, director of global advocacy for the Uyghur Human Rights Project, said they risk tarnishing their well-earned reputations when they stand up for human rights at home but ignore them abroad.

“If athletes are speaking up and saying I stand for justice, they cannot be selective and exempt China and an ongoing genocide from their concern,” she said.

Silver defended the league and its players, saying it is no surprise that they are most vocal about the issues they know best. “The league and players’ track record of leadership in social justice speaks for itself,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s hypocritical that the league and players focus their attention on issues that are closest to home and impact our own communities.”

He added that players’ popularity in China can help build bridges between nations, even if players choose not to directly address human rights concerns there. “We believe in the importance of engagement and the power of sports to create connections among disparate people,” he said, calling the connections “a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue on human rights and other critically important issues.”

Wallace Prather, the agent for Atlanta Hawks guard and Peak endorser Lou Williams, described the Chinese brands as lucrative alternatives to U.S. firms like Nike. “These guys have likeness, these guys have celebrity within their own right,” Prather said. “They have the ability to capitalize, not only financially but give themselves the chance to have a signature shoe that is going to impact their families, impact a lot of things they are doing. So, anyone who is taking a hard stand against it, I think they should give alternatives of what they should do.”

Williams has made more than $85 million in salary over his 16-year NBA career, according to Spotrac, a sports contract database. Some of the top Chinese-brand endorsers have earned considerably more on the court: Wade $196 million, Gordon Hayward $207 million and Thompson — widely known in China as “China Klay” — $182 million.

An agent who asked not to be identified suggested that NBA players are being unfairly targeted by Congress for doing business in China, where U.S. corporations — and athletes across sports who endorse them — allegedly benefit from a broad range of abusive business practices beyond forced labor.

“As a country, we’ve become so intertwined with China economically that it is hard to separate,” the agent said. “Is Congress telling the Marriotts, the Apples and all the other corporate interests not to do business there?”

A Chinese flag rests next to NBA merchandise at the league’s flagship retail store in Beijing. China is the NBA’s largest foreign market. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

IN LATE OCTOBER, about 150 protesters gathered on Washington’s National Mall holding signs with slogans such as “Stop Uyghur Genocide” and “Forced Labor Fashion Is Not My Style.” They also carried pictures of people they say have been detained in concentration camps in Xinjiang. The crowd cheered and chanted when the Celtics’ Freedom emerged from a silver SUV to address them.

“As an NBA athlete it is saddening, disgraceful and disgusting to see [my colleagues] remain silent about China,” he said. “And that’s why I will not be silent.”

Freedom, in social media posts and appearances since October, has repeatedly called out the Chinese government and condemned those he deems complicit in not doing more to oppose Chinese repression. He has tagged some of the sport’s biggest stars, including LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Another speaker at the Washington event was Kalbinur Gheni, a Uyghur whose 39-year-old sister was taken to a Chinese “reeducation” camp in 2018 and later sent to a prison. Gheni said her sister, an art teacher with two children, has been sentenced to 17 years for observing religious rites and for keeping religious books and loaning them to others. Gheni, who studied in Malaysia before moving to the U.S. in 2019, said her sister is among a dozen family members who have been detained in China over the past four years.

“They are using our loved ones in the camp as slave labor,” Gheni later told ESPN. “And they are profiting off them.

“When you talk about this NBA business, they should be supportive. It is not because I am a Uyghur, but as a human being. If they keep silent no matter what the Chinese government does, that means they are going to lose for long term their dignity and humanity.”

This 2019 photo shows a facility in Xinjiang believed to be a reeducation camp. More than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities are held in detention camps, according to the U.S. State Department. GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

In recent years, the NBA, like many multinational businesses, has struggled to toe the line between upholding democratic values of transparency and free speech, while not running afoul of China’s fine-tuned sensitivity to criticism and dissent.

A top executive with a major sports/entertainment agency declined comment on behalf of multiple clients who have Chinese shoe contracts, but privately questioned why the NBA didn’t address the China issue head-on three years ago, when Chinese state television network CCTV yanked NBA games off the air following a tweet by then-Rockets GM Daryl Morey in support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

“This has been almost a festering story — the partnership with China and the league itself,” the executive said. “And also, I think your employer [ESPN] is then a tentacle of that, too. There is this whole knot to untie. And who is where and where our business interests overlap.”

ESPN has had a content-sharing partnership with Chinese company Tencent since 2016. Tencent pulled Celtics games off its streaming service after Freedom criticized the government in October. It also stopped showing 76ers games after Morey joined Philadelphia as head of basketball operations. In addition to its partnership with Tencent, ESPN “is a non-voting board observer and owns a small stake” in NBA China, according to an ESPN spokesperson.

Disney, ESPN’s parent company, previously faced criticism from human rights activists for filming part of a 2020 live-action remake of “Mulan” in Xinjiang. Disney and other Hollywood studios have also come under fire for editing shows and films for Chinese markets.

The competing pressures facing multinational brands are not likely to end anytime soon. For NBA players with relatively short careers in which they can earn big money, it is easy to rationalize taking the cash, one analyst said.

“It’s pretty easy to be on the right side of things when there is not a lot of money involved,” Victor Matheson, a sports economist at the College of the Holy Cross, told ESPN. For many players profiting from shoe deals with Chinese firms, the Uyghur genocide may feel remote, he added, an issue to which they may say, “‘Sorry, that is not my deal, not my problem.'”

Chamath Palihapitiya, a venture capitalist and part-owner of the Golden State Warriors, again brought attention to the NBA’s uneasy relationship with China when he made a similar point bluntly in a recent episode of his podcast, All-In.

“Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK? … I’m just telling you … a very hard, ugly truth. Of all the things I care about, yes, it is below my line.” The comments stirred a social media firestorm, and the Warriors distanced themselves from Palihapitiya, who later walked back his comments.

U.S. lawmakers and human rights monitors say NBA stars, given their cultural influence, could make a difference in curbing China’s behavior if they chose to walk away from these companies.

“If [Wade] and others said, ‘No, I’m not going to do this,’ others will follow. This is the kind of pressure that China understands,” McGovern told ESPN. He added: “The more there is affiliation with American athletes, American companies and corporations, the more they can get cover for the terrible things that are going on.”

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