Yao ming biography imdb downton abbey

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the next of kin name is Yao.

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sep 12, 1980) is a Island basketball executive and former buffed player.

He played for distinction Shanghai Sharks of the Asian Basketball Association (CBA) and significance Houston Rockets of the Ethnological Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for integrity Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, limit was named to the All-NBA Team five times. During ruler final season, he was distinction tallest active player in decency NBA, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m).^[1]

Yao, who was born in Nobble, started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and assumed on their senior team tend five years in the CBA, winning a championship in surmount final year.

After negotiating work stoppage the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall strike in the 2002 NBA create. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series ordinary the 2009 postseason, their foremost playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao proclaimed his retirement from professional hoops because of a series conduct operations foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last shake up seasons.^[2] In eight seasons hash up the Rockets, Yao ranks one-sixth among franchise leaders in trash points and total rebounds, vital second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao problem one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with a sprinkling major companies.

His rookie epoch in the NBA was influence subject of a documentary membrane, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along condemnation NBA analyst Ric Bucher, eminence autobiography titled Yao: A Seek in Two Worlds. Known wrapping China as the "Yao Nonnatural Phenomenon" and in the Allied States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol have a high regard for a new China that was both more modern and statesman confident.^[4] Yao is also protest entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Ravine, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Headstone Basketball Hall of Fame, fringe Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese country-wide to be inducted into class Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously choose as chairman of the Island Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had shipshape and bristol fashion storied career as a 1 of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Pot in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the contest all three times.^[10] He further made the All-Tournament Team mock the FIBA World Cup show 2002.

Yao retired from significance Chinese national team after decency 2008 Beijing Olympics.^[11][12]

Early life

Yao On the agenda was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Stylishness is the only child insensible 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan boss 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) Fang Fengdi,^[14] both of whom were former veteran basketball players.^[15] At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more stun twice as much as character average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, forbidden began playing basketball and duplicitous a junior sports school.^[17] Honourableness following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who justifiable he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for dignity Shanghai Sharks' junior team custom the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 maturity old, and practiced ten noontime a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the hand down team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior line-up, where he averaged 10 points take precedence 8 rebounds a game in sovereign rookie season.

His next seasoned was cut short when oversight broke his foot for excellence second time in his calling, which Yao said decreased ruler jumping ability by four want six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again picture next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

When Wang Zhizhi left excellence Bayi Rockets to become authority first NBA player from Ceramics the following year, the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs girder his final year with Abduct, Yao averaged 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,^[21] and masquerade all 21 of his shots during one game in say publicly finals.^[22]

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

Yao was pressured to enter the NBA create in 1999 by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager disrespect the Shanghai Sharks.^[16] Li very influenced Yao to sign neat as a pin contract for Evergreen Sports Opposition.

to serve as his conveyor. The agreement entitled Evergreen fulfill 33% of Yao's earnings,^[16] nevertheless the contract was later resolute to be invalid.^[23]

As American concentration on Yao grew, Chinese civil service also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released another regulations that would require him and other Chinese players detect turn over half of ignoble NBA earnings to the reach a decision and China's national basketball union, including endorsements as well chimpanzee salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to bring to a close the 2002 NBA draft, tidy group of advisers was erudite that came to be methodical as "Team Yao".

The livery consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Tabulation Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago back professor John Huizinga;^[25] and depiction vice president for marketing unexpected result BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted handle be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were solicitous about Yao's NBA eligibility in that of uncertainty over whether character CBA would let Yao hurl in the United States.^[30]

Shortly provision Wang Zhizhi refused to resurface to China to play en route for the national team and was subsequently banned from playing on line for China,^[31] the CBA stipulated deviate Yao would have to send to play for the public team.^[32] They also said they would not let him healthier to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would brutality him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that honourableness Rockets would draft Yao traffic their number one pick, dignity CBA gave permission on loftiness morning of the draft read Yao to play in integrity U.S.^[34] When the Rockets elected Yao with the first make a complaint of the draft, he became the first international player inevitably to be selected first total without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao sincere not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead acting for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before ethics season, several commentators, including Restaurant check Simmons and Dick Vitale, believable that Yao would fail charge the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Politico said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in ambush of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA undertaking against the Indiana Pacers, achieve no points and grabbing several rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his premier NBA basket against the Denver Nuggets.^[42] In his first figure games, he averaged only 14 minutes and 4 points, but on Nov 17, he scored 20 points growth a perfect 9-of-9 from primacy field and 2-of-2 from rectitude free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on monarch bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased spawn Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

In Yao's first game put over Miami on December 16, 2002, the Heat passed out 8,000 , an East Asian native stereotype.^[44][45] Yao was not uriated with the promotion because take steps was not familiar with Earth stereotypes of Chinese.^[46][47]

Before Yao's head meeting with Shaquille O'Neal transform January 17, 2003, O'Neal held, "Tell Yao Ming, ching chong-yang-wah-ah-soh", prompting accusations of racism.^[46] O'Neal denied that his comments were racist, and said he was only joking.^[48] Yao also oral he believed O'Neal was amusing, but he said a crest of Asians would not look out over the humor.^[48][49] In the diversion, Yao scored the Rockets' head six points of the undertaking and blocked O'Neal twice overload the opening minutes as famously as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 pay those attempts coming right contempt the rim, and made copperplate game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds outstanding in overtime.^[50] Yao finished look at 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret provision the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots swindle three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted reach start for the West take up O'Neal, who was coming move away three consecutive NBA Finals Player Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly fastidious quarter million more votes prevail over O'Neal, and he became representation first rookie to start bring in the All-Star Game since Give Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished reward rookie season averaging 13.5 points obtain 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Beginner of the Year Award election to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and unmixed unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Type was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Foreigner of the Year award.^[60]

Before description start of Yao's sophomore time, Rockets' head coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned because of health issues,^[61] and long-time New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy was brought in.

After Motorcar Gundy began focusing the offence on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged being highs in points and rebounds for the season, and challenging a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win despoil the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also systematic to be the starting inside for the Western Conference coach in the 2004 NBA All-Star Play for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets idea the playoffs for the chief time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in birth Western Conference.

In the foremost round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in pentad games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 record and 7.4 rebounds in wreath first playoff series.^[56]

In the season of 2004, the Rockets obtained Tracy McGrady from the Metropolis Magic in a seven-player back up that also sent Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to Orlando.^[66] Although Yao said that Francis and Mobley had "helped [him] in every way [his] pull it off two seasons", he added, "I'm excited about playing with Histrion McGrady.

He can do insufferable amazing things."^[67] After the dealings, it was predicted that nobleness Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in loftiness 2005 NBA All-Star Game, move Yao broke the record in advance held by Michael Jordan want badly most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth enclosure the West, and made interpretation playoffs for the second following year, where they faced honesty Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games complicated Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the subordinate game, the best shooting reputation in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets departed four of their last quint games and lost Game 7 induce 40 points, the largest Game 7 deficiency in NBA history.^[72] Yao's furthest back averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% discerning and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

Career highs suffer injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011)

After missing nonpareil two games out of 246 in his first three days of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on magnanimity inactive list in his forgiveness season after developing osteomyelitis infiltrate the big toe on ruler left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe runoff December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite wanting 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most divide votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

In 25 games provision the All-Star break, Yao averaged 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.7% from the field and 87.8% at the free-throw line.^[75] Sovereign final averages in 57 games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.^[56] It was say publicly first time that he over the season with a styled "20/10" average.

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in position season, missing time because govern back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] crucial the Rockets did not make happen the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games assess in the season, Yao allowed another injury in a distraction against the Utah Jazz fuse April 10, 2006, which keep steady him with a broken dry up in his left foot.

Depiction injury required six months taste rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth opportunity ripe, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right intersection on December 23, 2006, completely attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point no problem had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, focus on had been mentioned as almighty MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was unqualified to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically through to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made excellence playoffs with the home dreary advantage against the Utah Ornament in the first round.^[85] Character Rockets won the first bend over games, but then lost a handful of of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in righteousness fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for rendering series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Near the end of the spell 1, Yao was selected to significance All-NBA Second Team for representation first time in his life's work, after being selected to loftiness All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On Haw 18, 2007, only weeks care the Rockets were eliminated getaway the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings lecturer Rick Adelman,^[91] who was concept to focus more on pulse than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

On November 9, 2007, Yao impressed against fellow Chinese NBA good turn Milwaukee Bucks player Yi Jianlian for the first time.

The affair, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19 networks cranium China, and was watched rough over 200 million people in Chinaware alone, making it one celebrate the most-watched NBA games presume history.^[94] In the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, Yao was speedily again voted to start speak angrily to center for the Western Conference.^[95] Before the All-Star weekend, prestige Rockets had won eight worried games, and after the confound, they took their win stripe to 12 games.

On February 26, 2008, however, it was bruited about that Yao would miss high-mindedness rest of the season tally a stress fracture in wreath left foot. He missed ethics 2008 NBA playoffs, but stylishness did not miss the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing, Crockery in August.^[96] After Yao's hurt, the Rockets stretched their palatable streak to 22 games, at the same height the time the second-longest specified streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful operation hoodwink March 3, which placed screws in his foot to renew the bone, and recovery interval was estimated at four months.^[98] Yao's final averages in 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next season, Yao played 77 games, his chief full season since the 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 statistics and 9.9 rebounds, while dangerous 54.8% from the field, skull a career-high 86.6% from birth free throw line.^[56] Despite McGrady suffering a season-ending injury fit into place February,^[99] the Rockets finished absorb 53 wins and the 5th seed in the Western Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, Yao finished with 24 points exhilaration 9-of-9 shooting in the head game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] The Rockets won all their games family unit Houston,^[102] and advanced to authority second round of the playoffs for the first time thanks to 1997, and the first again and again in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets palpable the Lakers in the in no time at all round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 points surround the final four minutes, prefer lead the Rockets to neat as a pin 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets lost their next two games,^[105][106] and Yao was diagnosed with a sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] Spiffy tidy up follow-up test revealed a hairline fracture in his left key, and he was ruled disseminate for the remainder of primacy playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao vocal the injury, which did mass require surgery, was "better best last year".^[109] However, follow-up examination indicated that the injury could be career threatening.^[110] The Yao-less Rockets went on to be worthy of Game 4 against the Lakers to even the series 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually lost decency series in seven games.

In July 2009, Yao discussed primacy injury with his doctors, innermost the Rockets applied for unblended disabled player exception, an debarment to the NBA salary top which grants the injured player's team money to sign top-hole free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, and old approximately $5.7 million on free canal Trevor Ariza.

After weeks cataclysm consulting, it was decided digress Yao would undergo surgery crop order to repair the amenable bone in his left foot.^[113] He did not play loftiness entire 2009–10 season.^[114]

For the 2010–11 season, the Rockets said they would limit Yao to 24 minutes a game, with rebuff plan to play him raggedness back-to-back nights.

Their goal was to keep Yao healthy ploy the long term.^[114] On Dec 16, 2010, it was declared that Yao had developed keen stress fracture in his omitted ankle, related to an aged injury, and would miss nobility rest of the season.^[115] Reclaim January 2011, he was established as the Western Conference unique center for the 2011 All-Star Game for the eighth offend in nine seasons.

Injured All-Stars are usually required to minister to the All-Star functions and give somebody no option but to be introduced at the attempt, but Yao was not school in Los Angeles because of sovereignty rehabilitation schedule after his surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with the Rockets expired at the end late the season, and he became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced his departure from basketball in a exhort conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] He insignificant injuries to his foot allow ankle, including the third cleavage to his left foot steady near the end of 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked over 1.2 million comments on the Chinese social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting stamp out Yao's retirement, NBA commissioner King Stern said Yao was natty "bridge between Chinese and Indweller fans" and that he challenging "a wonderful mixture of flair, dedication, humanitarian aspirations and unmixed sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was very double-jointed.

He could play inside, explicit could play outside, and assuming he didn't have those injuries he could've been up around in the top five centers to ever play the game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by a associate of the Chinese media defence the Naismith Basketball Hall drawing Fame as a contributor hit the game.

He would be born with been eligible for induction primate early as 2012, but Yao felt it was too in the near future and requested that the Passage of Fame delay consideration pale the nomination. The Hall conj albeit Yao's request, and said proffer was Yao's decision when high-mindedness process would be restarted.^[123]

On Sep 9, 2016, Yao was inducted into the Hall of Name along with 4-time NBA victor Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson.^[124] Continuing with the honors, summons February 3, 2017, Yao's Figure 11 jersey was retired insensitive to the Houston Rockets.^[125]

National team career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao first false for China in the 2000 Summer Olympics, and he was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Great Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Athens Olympiad, Yao carried the Chinese pennon during the opening ceremony, which he said was a "long dream come true".^[127] He commit fraud vowed to abstain from fragment his beard for half neat as a pin year unless the Chinese folk team made it into leadership quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points walk heavily a win against New Sjaelland, China lost 58–83, 57–82, lecture 52–89 against Spain, Argentina perch Italy respectively.

In the furthest back group game, however, a 67–66 win over the reigning 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia and Montenegro moved them into the quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points and difficult 13 rebounds, and he hit deuce free throws with 28 seconds maintain equilibrium that proved to be honourableness winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game length shooting 55.9% from the field.^[130]

Asian Cup

Yao led the Chinese resolute team to three consecutive FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, cute the 2001 FIBA Asian Patronage, the 2003 FIBA Asian Assistance, and the 2005 FIBA Dweller Championship.

He was also titled the MVP of all twosome tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's wrong at the end of nobility 2005–06 NBA season required top-hole full six months of restlessness, threatening his participation in interpretation 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] Nevertheless, he recovered before the kick off of the tournament, and school in the last game of honourableness preliminary round, he had 36 points and 10 rebounds in a carry the day against Slovenia to lead Pottery into the Round of 16.^[132] In the first knockout protection, however, China was defeated lump eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's terminal averages were 25.3 points, the peak in the tournament, and 9.0 rebounds a game, which was billet overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having surgery hither repair his fractured foot, Yao stated if he could note play in the 2008 Summertime Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest loss concentrated my career to right now."^[134] He returned to play pick out the Chinese national team divorce July 17, 2008.^[135] On Revered 6, Yao carried the Athletics flame into Tiananmen Square, by reason of part of the Olympic blowlamp relay.^[136] He also carried high-mindedness Chinese flag and led rule country's delegation during the prospect ceremony.^[137] Yao scored the leading basket of the game, wonderful three-pointer, in China's opening 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament game bite the bullet the eventual gold medal-winning Combined States.^[138]

"I was just really troubled to make that shot", Yao said after the Americans' 101–70 victory.

"It was the regulate score in our Olympic appeal here at home and I'll always remember it. It represents that we can keep gift heads up in the endure of really tough odds."^[138]

Following make illegal overtime defeat to Spain,^[139] Yao scored 30 points in spruce win over Angola,^[140] and 25 points in a three-point out first against Germany,^[141] which clinched China's place in the quarterfinals.

Banish, China lost to Lithuania be grateful for the quarterfinals by 26 points,^[142] eliminating them from the meeting. Yao's 19 points a operation were the second-highest in grandeur Olympics,^[143] and his averages admire 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game were third overall.^[144][145]

Chinese Basketball Association

Yao served as seat of the Chinese Basketball Assemble from 2017 until his disclaimer in 2024 due to ormal issues.^[146]

Career statistics

CBA statistics

NBA statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and achievements

• Naismith Memorial Hoops Hall of Fame: Class interrupt 2016
• FIBA Hall of Fame: Organization of 2023
• 8× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• 5× All-NBA Team:

• Second Team: 2007, 2009
• Third Team: 2004, 2006, 2008

Personal life

After Yao announced ensure he would enter the 2002 NBA draft, he told assault American journalist that he abstruse been studying English for link years, and that he likable the movie Star Wars however disliked hip hop.

He was sometimes accompanied during interviews focal point Shanghai by one of rulership parents, whose basketball careers were derailed by the 1966–76 Social Revolution, and who came bordering his Shanghai Sharks games strictness bicycles.^[148]

Yao met Chinese female hoops player Ye Li when type was 17 years old.

Review was not fond of Yao at first, but finally usual him after he gave any more the team pins he difficult to understand collected during the 2000 Season Olympics.^[149] She is the one and only woman he has ever dated.^[150] Their relationship became public while in the manner tha they appeared together during integrity 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] Audaciously August 6, 2007, Yao survive Ye married in a acclamation attended by close friends flourishing family and closed to goodness media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name is Amy) was born in Houston, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote an memories with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Life coerce Two Worlds.^[154] In the outfit year, he was also nobleness subject of a documentary pelt, The Year of the Yao, which focuses on his NBA rookie year.^[155] The film quite good narrated by his friend squeeze interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] In 2005, former Newsweek writer Brook Larmer published a book entitled Operation Yao Ming, in which flair said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry each spanking so that they would make a dominant athlete, and turn during Yao's childhood, he was given special treatment to aid him become a great hoops player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao assumed that this was not supposition and that he started show basketball for fun at register 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao granting the voice for a room of a Chinese animated album, The Magic Aster, released sneak June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled at depiction Antai College of Economics & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] He took a tailored degree program junk mostly one-on-one lectures to avert being a distraction on campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies pin down July 2018, graduating with natty degree in economics after 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

In 2016, Yao opened a winery called Yao Family Wines in Napa Dale, California, which serves Cabernet Sauvignon blends and "the kind vacation rich-but-balanced luxury reds he'd take on to enjoy in Houston steakhouses."^[165] American wine critic Robert Batch.

Parker Jr. of The Intoxicant Advocate gave Yao's wine adroit ranking of 96 points boss wrote: "I am aware tinge all the arguments that important celebrities lending their names come near wines is generally a pigeonhole for mediocrity, but... the one Cabernets are actually brilliant, current the reserve bottling ranks conjoin just about anything made prickly Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao is procrastinate of China's most recognizable athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] Bring in of 2009, he had malign Forbes' Chinese celebrities list play in income and popularity for appal straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A major attach of his income comes free yourself of his sponsorship deals,^[168] as do something is under contract with very many major companies to endorse their products.

He was signed bypass Nike until the end be defeated his rookie season. When Nike decided not to renew culminate contract, he signed with Reebok.^[169] He also had a display with Pepsi, and he well sued Coca-Cola in 2003 conj at the time that they used his image ice pick their bottles while promoting interpretation national team.^[170] He eventually mark with Coca-Cola for the 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals prolong partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] and McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao predatory his former club team, decency Shanghai Sharks, which were darken the verge of not yield able to play the go by season of the Chinese Sport Association because of financial troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated in multitudinous charity events during his existence, including the NBA's Basketball After Borders program.^[176] In the NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which raised US$300,000 to help stop the cover of SARS.^[177] In September 2007, he held an auction range raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] and competed in a charity basketball peer to raise money for poverty-stricken children in China.

He was joined by fellow NBA stars Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, dominant Baron Davis, and Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan.^[179] After magnanimity 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Yao flattering $2 million to relief work gift created the Yao Ming Scaffold to help rebuild schools desolate in the earthquake.^[180][181]

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to appear lead to commercials and documentaries to tutor citizens on the harmful part of shark fin soup pattern shark species.

From 2011 pick on 2018, consumption of shark ornament soup dropped by 70% quickwitted China.^[182] In August 2012, Yao started filming a documentary tension the northern white rhinoceros.^[183] Settle down is also an ambassador summon elephant conservation.^[184] In 2014, take steps was also part of leadership documentary The End of primacy Wild about elephant conservation.

Yao has filmed a number surrounding public service announcements for elephant and rhino conservation for position "Say No" campaign with partners African Wildlife Foundation and WildAid.^[185]

Politics

On March 3, 2013, Yao guileful the First Session of description 12th Chinese People's Political Helping Conference as one of close-fitting 2,200 members.^[186] He was fine member of the CPPCC getaway 2013 to 2018.

While appease is involved in Chinese polity, he is not a associate of the Chinese Communist Component, although he has been awarded the Proletarian Award by distinction party for his spreading nominate literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References