Here are the top sports business stories you need to know from this week:
Tencent Sports Sign Lang Ping & Sun Yang as Ambassadors
On 12th May, Tencent Sports announced legendary volleyball coach, Lang Ping, as their new ambassador. Tencent will have priority to Lang Ping’s interviews and press releases. This move is to support Tencent’s aim to create volleyball IP events in China. In the same week, Sun Yang, the Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer also joined the Tencent Sports Ambassador team. By partnering Sun Yang, Tencent is promoting their product “Tencent OM penguin Account”, a new platform to engage with fans. Original Chinese source here
Takeover Completed: Chinese Siblings New Owners of Reading FC
Reading FC have confirmed Chinese brother and sister Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li have become majority shareholders. The property tycoons take over from Thai businessman, Narin Niruttinanon, who will retain a minor stake in the club. The takeover was approved on 16th May by the English Football League. Read more here
Tencent Partners with Wuhu City to Build eSports Town
Gaming giant Tencent signed an agreement with Wuhu City to build eSports town, which will include a theme park, eSports university, cultural and creative park, animation industry park, Tencent technology incubator and Tencent cloud data centre. This eSports town will host eSports events in the future. Original Chinese source here
LeSports Center Naming Rights Terminated
The Bloomage Group, who own the venue, terminated the naming rights deal with LeSports for reasons left undisclosed. In December 2015, LeSports signed a five-year sponsorship agreement worth around RMB 30 Million per year. Original Chinese source here
CSIG Stock Suspended for Major Shareholder Change
Trading of China Sports Industry Group (CSIG) was suspended again. The majority of the public company is owned by the (government run) China Sports Fund Management Center of National Sports General Administration. According to the media, Shougang Corporation is the most likely to buy the majority stake in CSIG. Shougang Corporation is one of China’s largest steel companies. Original Chinese source here
MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates sign 18-year-old Chinese Pitcher
On Tuesday, Gong Haicheng, U18 national team player has signed a contract with Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates as a undrafted free agent. According to the MLB, Gong is the first pitching prospect and second player trained in one of the MLB’s China development centres to sign with an MLB team. Read more here
Indian Sports Film Dangal Crushes China Film Market
Indian sports film, Dangal, made RMB 550 million at the Chinese box office this week becoming the first film to cross the 400 million mark in under 11 days in China. Dangal continued its remarkable run in the world’s second-largest film market last weekend earning RMB 215 million, a staggering 170% jump in ticket sales from its opening weekend. Read more here
LFC Legends Lead 4-Day LFC World Tour in Shanghai
Liverpool FC Legends Robbie Fowler, John Barnes, Sami Hyypiä and Luis Garcia today joined LFC World Shanghai. The Legends’ visit kicked off a four-day program of activities that will engage fans of all ages, enabling them to learn more about the Club and providing exciting opportunities to meet LFC legends, experience a dressing room photo, and try “Inside Anfield” VR technology to visit the stadium. Original Chinese source here
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