Asia
Features
The Rise of eFootball in China – Andrew Collins, Mailman Group
As esports have exploded in China over the past decade, eFootball, now a category itself, is undergoing a meteoric rise in the mainland.
FIS goes digital-first in fan engagement push ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics
The International Ski Federation is ramping up its global engagement efforts as it builds towards Beijing 2022, with its secretary general, Sarah Lewis, describing China as “the biggest opportunity for winter sports in the last 50 years”. Adam Nelson reports on how FIS is using its digital strategy to encourage consumers to take to the slopes.
RWC 2019: Great for Japan, but what does it mean for the rest of Asia?
The best rugby players on the planet are heading to Japan for the first Asian Rugby World Cup, but what impact will it have on the fan and player base across the continent – and the game’s commercial prospects? SportBusiness Asia editor Kelvin Tan reports.
Tokyo time for judo
The 2019 World Judo Championships in Tokyo will not only be the showcase event of the year in the sport; it will also provide a perfect launchpad for athletes, officials and fans ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Ice cream and Kimekomi dolls | Developing a licensing programme for the Rugby World Cup in Japan
IMG Licensing says it has secured contracts with 25 Japanese licensees and 21 global licensees for this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan. Ben Cronin reports.
Serie A considering promotional activity and Super Cup game in India
The Italian football league, Serie A, is looking at running promotional activity, potentially including a Super Cup game, in India to capitalise on burgeoning interest in the sport
FloSports and Eleven acquire rights for women’s softball Olympics qualifier
The World Baseball Softball Confederation has agreed media-rights deals for the women's softball Asia/Oceania 2020 Summer Olympics qualifier tournament with FloSports in North America and Eleven Sports…
Malaysian state Kelantan seeks funding ahead of Sukma Games bid
The Malaysian state of Kelantan has requested MYR291m (€63m/$69m) from the national Ministry of Youth and Sport (KBS) to upgrade its sports infrastructure and facilities ahead of a bid for the 2022 Sukma G…
Mastercard to sponsor Southeast Asian Games
Mastercard has agreed to be an official sponsor of this year's Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games in the Philippines
NHL leverages Ovechkin’s pulling power to expand footprint in China
In order to develop their presence in China, the NHL have sent Alexander Ovechkin on a one-man ambassadorial trip to Beijing this week. Bob Williams talks to David Proper, executive vice-president of media and international strategy, about how ice hockey's governing body is leveraging its players' star power.
LaLiga and Bundesliga aim to make inroads on Premier League’s Asian dominance
The Premier League has long been the top international football league in Asia. As the 2019-20 season begins, SportBusiness Asia spoke to the Asian offices of Spain’s LaLiga and Germany’s Bundesliga about their work to challenge the English league’s position.
Asia at the forefront of tech-augmented mass participation runs
Asian engagement in mass participation running has increased by 169 per cent in the last five years. Kelvin Tan looks at how some of these events are now seeking differentiation through technology-led innovations, such as virtual and augmented-reality urban runs.
Thailand football association urges clarity on Asean 2034 World Cup bid
Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompunmuang believes that more clarity needs to be given about an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 2034 World Cup bid, especially on which…
Chinese mass participation growth a focus for Wanda after IPO
IPO prospectus for parent company of the Infront agency and Ironman triathlon operator reveals strategy to focus on mass participation in China and predictions for the growth of the Chinese sports sector.
Time to monetise | The football clubs turning Chinese engagement into revenues
Many European football clubs are aiming to convert their large Chinese fanbases into significant new revenue streams. However, they must adapt to this complex market in order to capitalise on its huge potential. Jonathan Dyson reports from Shanghai.
SportBusiness goes global with opening of Asia office
SportBusiness, the leading provider of data, analysis, news and insight to businesses working in the $600bn sports industry, today announces the next stage in its rapid global expansion with the opening…
All eyes on Tokyo for judo
In association with the International Judo Federation.
Is the NBA’s centralised approach holding its teams back in China?
All sponsorship deals in country are run through NBA China
Teams can only activate and sign individual partnership within 150-mile radius of their arenas
‘Mobile-first’ Asian consumers driving Twitter’s sport partnerships strategy
Aneesh Madani, head of sports partnerships, Asia-Pacific, at Twitter, tells SportBusiness how the social network is cooperating with rights-holders and broadcasters to capitalise on its continued growth across the continent, and using fan engagement to drive revenues for itself and its partners.
Arsenal’s Singapore office contributes to 50-per-cent growth of commercial revenues
APAC contains biggest proportion of Arsenal’s global fanbase at 30 per cent.
Since opening Singapore office, 85 per cent of all club’s sponsorships now come from outside Europe.
Liberty demonstrates its Asian ambitions with Hanoi Grand Prix announcement
Hanoi will host a Grand Prix in 2020 after first expressing interest in 2016
Fast fashion comes to Asia | Q&A Masanori Kawana, managing director, Fanatics Japan
Masanori Kawana, managing director, Fanatics Japan, came to prominence in October when he signed the company’s first vertical merchandising deal in Asia with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Here he speaks to Ben Cronin about the prospects for the company's fast fashion model in Asia.
NBA turns South Korean fashionistas into basketball fans with MK Trend partnership
NBA licenses clothing company MK Trend to create casual and lifestyle-focused clothing for South Koreans
Manchester United sponsorship helps Gulf Oil build Chinese empire
Deal with Manchester United helped Gulf Oil gain recognition and trust in Chinese marketplace.
Plans to open 1,000 service stations in three years “impossible” without the partnership.
How NBA China’s 17 sponsors activated around the China Games
NBA China currently maintains relationships with 17 sponsors
Partners a combination of Chinese organisations and multinational companies looking for exposure in the country
Mark Tatum: “The Chinese fan is a very sophisticated, knowledgeable fan”
League says most die-hard NBA fans play basketball before the age of 12
NBA working with the Ministry of Education in China on a grassroots junior NBA programme
China Digest | Formula E to stage race in Sanya
In this week's China sports industry round-up: Formula E to stage race in Sanya | Alibaba and Tencent invest in City Football Group stakeholders | Tencent extends Tour de France digital rights
China Digest | China invests in its basketball legacy
In this week's China sports industry round-up: China invests in its basketball legacy | Klay Thompson launches charity project in Guiyang | World Cup sponsors Hisense could face fine in wake of new partnership