The two fines totaling 210,000 yuan issued during the CBA playoffs still stand out. Back when the quarterfinals were underway, Shanghai and Shenzhen had already secured their spots in the semifinals, leaving two remaining berths that kept fans on edge. Then, the CBA dropped two heavy fines, instantly sending the topic to the top of trending searches.
The cost and causes of playoff misconduct became clear. A few days ago, two quarterfinal games erupted simultaneously. At the Shanxi汾酒 versus Zhejiang Guangsha home game, fans chanted “biased referee” throughout, loud enough to be heard on the broadcast, and there were also insults directed at the officials.
At the Zhejiang Chouzhou versus Shenzhen Marco Polo game, fans not only shouted “biased referee” but also threw lighters onto the court. Even more outrageous, Chouzhou’s investor, Jin Zijun, rushed into the scorer’s table area to argue with the referees, delaying the game for a considerable time.
On May 11, the CBA Disciplinary Committee took action: Shanxi汾酒 was fined 50,000 yuan of its operational funds, deducted 3 league points, and the Taiyuan venue lost its eligibility for the season’s outstanding venue award. Zhejiang Chouzhou was fined 110,000 yuan, deducted 6 points, and investor Jin Zijun was suspended for one game and fined 50,000 yuan. Since Chouzhou had already been eliminated, the suspension carries over to the next season.
The two fines added up to exactly 210,000 yuan, precisely targeting three types of misconduct in the playoffs: excessive fan behavior, lax home venue management, and cross-boundary interference by investors. This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The intensity of playoff competition increased, with more physical contact and lower tolerance for referee errors. Any slight bias was amplified.
Fans on the sidelines also got carried away. According to league officials, venue order violations this season were more than 10% higher than last season, indicating long-standing loopholes in on-site management.
Sports venues have their own etiquette: spectators must not disrupt game flow, hurl abuse at referees, or cross the red line into the scorer’s table area. In the NBA, pre-game fan guides and volunteer guidance ensure that even the most passionate fans don’t throw objects or storm onto the court.
This CBA punishment is essentially patching that loophole, preventing emotions from overriding rules. While 210,000 yuan may not seem huge, the deducted points and reputational damage are more painful. Shanxi, which had hoped to challenge for a top-four spot next season, now drops several positions due to the 3-point deduction and loses eligibility for the excellent venue bonus.
Zhejiang Chouzhou, already eliminated, sees its deduction affect next season’s rankings. The 110,000 yuan reduction in operational funds means tighter budgets for fan activities and venue setup. The investor’s suspension means he must be careful when attending games in the future.
League rankings and identity transitions are also affected. The CBA regular season uses a points system: 2 points for a win, 1 for a loss. The top 12 teams make the playoffs. Playoff rankings also influence next season’s seed spots, allowing seeded teams to bypass the play-in round, reducing game load and injury risk.
Shanxi’s 3-point deduction is equivalent to losing 1.5 wins, potentially dropping them from 8th place into a play-in game. Zhejiang Chouzhou’s 6-point deduction pushes them significantly down next season’s standings.
Beyond points, both venues lost eligibility for the season’s excellent venue award, damaging their reputation and potentially affecting sponsorship.
The fairness of league rankings depends not only on on-court performance but also on off-court discipline. Teams that perform well on the court but cause chaos off it don’t deserve the label of professional league.
Aside from venue order and rankings, another topic frequently discussed by fans is where retired players end up. Many assume they open bubble tea shops or become commentators, but actually, most transition to assistant coaching positions in youth teams, gaining experience before moving to first-team assistant roles and eventually becoming head coaches.
For example, Meng Lingyuan, a former CBA defensive specialist, retired in 2020, first coached the Shanghai youth team, then earned FIBA coaching certification, becoming a leader in youth development. This is the mainstream path for CBA players.
Similarly, Zhejiang Chouzhou’s former head coach Wang Shilong transitioned from being a Guangdong Hongyuan player to the youth team and then to first-team assistant and head coach at Zhejiang Chouzhou.
The investor’s cross-boundary behavior in this fine also reflects club management loopholes. In a professional league, not only players but also investors must respect boundaries, not using “protecting the team” as an excuse to interfere with game flow.
If investors can meddle, the environment for player transitions is also affected. After all, if clubs can’t maintain basic order, they have little energy for youth training and player development.
This 210,000-yuan fine is not just about punishing two playoff incidents—it serves as a wake-up call for the entire CBA. Venue order is the foundation, league ranking fairness is the soul, and smooth player transitions are the future. Hopefully, future CBA seasons will feature both exciting games and clean off-court conduct, along with smooth career paths for retired players. That’s the kind of league worth following.
