The Chinese National team's main interestes are, shockingly, to China. All their players are essentially there for China's interests...how many Bucks games get played in China?
I know the response already, "Well how many Rockets games were played in China before Yao got there?" The answer is plenty. Houston is a huge city right up there w/ Chicago and their games were televised internationally. Yao Ming was actually a huge Rockets fan before entering the NBA (his heroes, Olajuwon & Sabonis).
Yao Ming Biography:
A limited schedule of NBA games was broadcast in China, and Ming followed the Houston Rockets closely. Led by Hakeem Olajuwon, another agile big man, the Rockets won back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. Ming was hooked.
The Chinese national team basically told everyone interested they'll let Yi play in the NBA IF they think he'll get enough international exporsure to let Chinese people see him play, otherwise he stays home.
Why is there any confusion that they're keeping their word?
And i wouldn't be surprised if there's another party pushing Fegan either. Yi is represented by Nike. And we know how Nike feels about big market cities. Reports are that the deal is bigger than Yao Ming's first deal, and goes for 6 years.
Why does Yi need an NBA rookie contract when Nike is already making him a millionaire?