YAO MING RUMORS & GOSSIP

Business is booming T... From owning the Shanghai Sharks to fighting for China’s wetlands, former basketball star Yao Ming has plenty of post-NBA ambitions. Yao sits down with WSJ’s Deborah Kan for an interview to discuss why preserving his country’s environment is so important and what advice he has for New York Knick Jeremy Lin — Yao’s English has...

While there’s nothing better than someone becoming aware of their own meme and embracing it, I’m sad to say that I am the bearer of bad news today. The above image popped up on Imgur, Memebase and a few other sites yesterday and most people were all like, “Oh snap, Yao Ming has embraced his trollface meme.” I only wish that were the case. Using my keen CSI investigating,...

HOUSTON There is no if. This was Yao Ming at his philosophical finest; part Yoda, part Neo. In his first appearance at Toyota Center since his fragile feet forced his premature retirement last summer, Yao was bombarded was questions from media seeking to unearth any residual bitterness in his disposition. The statement was profound the first time Yao uttered it in response, yet...

Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE If you’re a little unfamiliar with this All-Star Weekend’s Dunk Contests participants, this is Huston Rocket’s forward Chase Budinger. Budinger has a 38.5 inch vertical and can also throw down in volleyball. As a high school senior he was invited to try out for the USA Olympic Volleyball Team, but turned it down to go play basketball at Arizona...

In an NBA.com profile this week, Yao Ming waxed poetic about the NBA’s newest golden child, Jeremy Lin. It is quite possibly the most magical quote you will read this week. “What I see from Jeremy and what I hear in his interviews is he appreciates everything. He pursues his dream. His attitude is so peaceful, but there is strength to him. It is not a violent strength...

I'll be retired by the time you here the name Lin T.. Here’s a great pic of a young Jeremy Lin meeting Yao Ming. Lin is one of the few Asian Americans in NBA history, and the first American player in the league to be of Chinese or Taiwanese descent — Lets not forget about Yao Ming, who paved the way for many to play the game, and also helped expand the game worldwide...

Jeremy Lin says that Yao Ming has been a terrific role model for him and that the two go out to dinner every time they are in the same city.

Now that his playing days are behind him, the former Houston Rockets center is pursuing a career in politics, having become a member of an advisory body to the Shanghai legislature. 

Now that his basketball playing days are over, Yao Ming has developed an entrepreneurial spirit and it begins with his own wine brand, which debuts with a 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.