China Sports Business Weekly | 5th October
Updated: Aug 27, 2019
ere are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week:
Vivo Presents NBA China Games Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has expanded its association with the NBA by becoming the presenting partner of the league’s China Games series from 2018 to 2020. As part of the agreement, Vivo will benefit from advertising exposure through the NBA China Games logo, along with on-court branding and signage. Read more on Sport Business (English) and NBA China Official (Chinese)
Mailman Take: The NBA is arguably the most commercially successful sports league in China. According to the 2018 NBA Red Card Report, the NBA has accumulated more than 40 media and marketing partners. The vibrant young basketball community is what brands are chasing after. Vivo, in particular, has already signed star athletes like Steph Curry and many other celebrities. The NBA China Games, as the perfect channel to combine entertainment and sport, presents a unique opportunity to reach and deepen the relationship with the millions and millions of Chinese basketball enthusiasts. Moreover, becoming a title sponsor is an effective way to separate itself from the rest of the sponsor pool, as we've also seen in the NHL China Games.
World Rugby Stalls on Alisports Partnership The partnership between World Rugby and Alisports (sports division of Alibaba), which had plans to bolster rugby union’s presence in China, has reportedly been postponed. The investment programme, worth $100 million over 10 years, was announced in October 2016. However, World Rugby executives admitted earlier this year that progress had been slower than expected. Read more on South China Morning Post (English) Viessmann and FC Bayern Strike Regional Partnership FC Bayern München and manufacturing company Viessmann have joined forces in Asia. Viessmann is now the Official Regional Partner of FC Bayern München in mainland China and Hong Kong. The partnership includes the use of trademark rights, meet & greets as well as fan trips to the Allianz Arena. Read more on Bayern’s Official Website in English and Chinese
Juventus Partners with Wanbo Sports Italian soccer champions Juventus have signed a deal with sports media company Wanbo Sports which will see the Chinese firm become an official regional partner of the 34-time Serie A champions. As part of the agreement, Wanbo, which has become a market leader across China and Asia, will contribute to the growth of the club’s worldwide fan base. Read more on SportsPro (English) and Juventus.com (Chinese)
Roland Garros Tennis Club Set for Wuhan The Roland-Garros Tennis Club will open in Wuhan in 2019, the French Consulate General in Wuhan has confirmed. The French Tennis Association will actively assist in establishing the club, as well as helping in tournament planning, organization and management. Read more on China Daily (English) and Xinhua News (Chinese)
Sina Sports & beIN Sports Reach Broadcast Agreement Both parties announced an agreement which will see beIN SPORTS become the pan-regional broadcaster for the 2018 Sina Sports 3x3 Golden League Finals and deliver the event to a wider audience in the Asia Pacific region. Read more on Sina (English) and Sina Sports (Chinese)
In other news:
Nike Opens Shanghai Innovation Store The House of Innovation by Nike has officially opened in Shanghai. This is the first of its kind around the world, and soon to be followed by one in New York this November. Read more on Nike’s official website in English and Chinese
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