The Tianjin Jinmen Tiger is a professional basketball team based in Tianjin, China. The team was founded in 1996 and has since become one of the most successful teams in Chinese basketball history.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Tianjin Jinmen Tiger is their reputation for using underaged players. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of young players being signed to contracts with the team without proper documentation or parental consent.
In 2018, the team's head coach, Liu Weiming, was accused of recruiting underage players from rural areas of China. Liu Weiming denied the allegations, stating that he had only worked with players who were over the age of 14.
However, the accusations sparked a public outcry and led to calls for stricter regulations on youth sports in China. In response, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced new rules aimed at preventing the use of underage players in professional basketball leagues.
Despite these efforts, the controversy surrounding the Tianjin Jinmen Tiger continues to be a topic of discussion in Chinese media. Some fans argue that the team should be allowed to operate as usual while others believe that they must take responsibility for their actions.
Overall, the Tianjin Jinmen Tiger is a beloved team among many Chinese basketball fans. However, their reputation for using underage players remains a source of controversy and debate. As the CBA continues to work towards improving regulations in the sport, it will be interesting to see how the team responds to these challenges.