Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Nike Sponsors Tencent’s LPL US sports apparel giant Nike has officially signed a 4-year sponsorship deal with Tencent for its League of Legends Pro League (LPL), becoming one of the lead partners of the top esports league. Nike will reportedly pay around $7.5 million a year for the apparel rights to all 16 LPL clubs. Read more on Lanxiong Sports (Chinese) and SportsPro (English) Mailman Take:

Off the back of Wu Lei’s transfer from Shanghai SIPG to Espanyol, we examined the positive effects and potential pitfalls Wu Lei’s transfer to Espanyol could have on his new club, LaLiga, broadcasters, merchandisers, e-commerce and more. The announcements, gossip and discussion brought about by the January transfer window always results in a significant spike in the digital performance of the various clubs, players and media organisations involved. But while one particular mo

Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Bundesliga Clubs Sign MOU to Develop Grassroots Football in China  FC Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund and Borussia VfL 1900 Mönchengladbach have shown commitment to developing football in the Jiangsu region as part of the 30-year cooperation between the clubs and Jiangsu Province. Read more on Dongqiudi (Chinese) Mailman Take: This is another move which highlights the unique approach of Bundesl

Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Germany Sign NetEase as Exclusive Media Partner NetEase has become the German National Team’s exclusive online media partner for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, following on from signing the same deal with the French National Team. This official partnership will allow NetEase to access the personality rights of players among other exclusive rights. Read more on EastDay Sports (Chinese) Mailman Take:

Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Messi Becomes Brand Ambassador for Mengniu Chinese dairy giant Mengniu Group continue to make significant moves this year, signing up Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi as their brand ambassador. This news follows their recent appointment as an official sponsor for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Read more on Sohu (Chinese) Zou Shiming Awarded Top Honour by WBC Chinese boxing star Zou Shiming

Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Nike Named Most Influential Brand in China According to the 2017 Top 50 Most Influential Sports Brands in China report, Nike ranked 1st ahead of the Chinese Basketball League and Chinese Super League. Chinese sports brands such as Anta, XTEP, and Li-Ning also made the top 10. The criteria included brand awareness, reputation, market share, and other key brand influence indexes. Read more on D

Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Winter Olympic Games Partner With Sina Weibo Sina Weibo have become the official social media provider to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. As one of China’s largest social media platforms, it will utilise its substantial user base and platform capabilities, such as live streaming, to increase the profile of the Winter Olympics in China. Read more on Sohu (Chinese) Mailman Take: F

Here are the top sports business news stories you need to know from this week: Juventus Launch China App The Chinese version of Juventus’ new app was launched earlier this week, which includes a VR application and allows fans to experience the Bianconeri from a 360-degree view. The launch event was live streamed from China on Juventus’ official Weibo page and on PPTV, which included legend David Trezeguet. Read more on Juventus (English) GameDay Teams Up with La Liga The agre

Here are the top sports business stories you need to know from this week: Alibaba Cloud Presents World Club Cup Alibaba Group has agreed to a multi-year deal with FIFA for its Alibaba Cloud brand to become the presenting partner of the Fifa Club World Cup until 2022. This agreement will help promote Alibaba Cloud to a worldwide audience. Alibaba Cloud will also design and provide the competition’s Most Valuable Player award. Read more on Soccerex (English) Mailman Take: Chine

Rise of the CSL In the past year, the CSL has experienced growth at a ridiculous rate. Its value has increased by 81% which makes it the fastest growing football league in the world. It is now worth over $338 million. Whilst this pales in comparison to the giant leagues of Europe, if it continues at this rate of growth it won’t be long before it’s in the same conversation. The domestic rights for the 2016 season were purchased for $1.26 billion, 20 times greater than the prev

There are many reasons why people could compare MLS and the CSL, yet the comparisons should stop at the season calendar. The Chinese Super League is intent on claiming their position as the next football superpower. STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY The MLS controls the league, clubs, and players ensuring they progress as one. Meanwhile, Chinese Super League teams are free to spend well beyond what’s available and even what makes business sense. The MLS’s slow and steady development pla

What are the rules for locals vs foreign imports on CSL football clubs? Each team is allowed to register a maximum of 5 foreign players, known as the 4+1 policy. 4 players from outside Asia and 1 more from teams competing in the Asian Football Confederation. However, only 3+1 can be on the pitch during a CSL match. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper has to be Chinese – there’s a huge demand for Chinese GKs leading to inflated values. Why are Brazilians being targeted as transfers for

Better late than never? This phrase does not apply to China. With interest in Sport at an all time high and with a dramatic rise in the number of Chinese Sports fans, there is no time like the present to invest in a China strategy. Now is the time to build an online presence in China or you may lose out to those clubs who took advantage of this opportunity. The Chinese love for Football runs deep.  More surprisingly their passion for top European leagues far exceeds their int