China
Features
World Snooker Tour looks to global future with rebrand
World Snooker Tour rebrand aims to mark distinction as commercial arm of WPBSA
New identity comes as tour seeks to expand further into international markets
Chinese athletes to benefit as government heads off potential for endorsement disputes in Olympic year
Regulation has limited the extent to which China’s sporting stars can capitalise on their sporting prowess via commercial deals. But recent rule changes by the General Administration of Sports offers new possibilities. Chen Yaolin investigates.
Tax exemptions and increased demand drive 16-per-cent growth of Chinese winter sports economy
China’s winter sport industry is booming ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. But the pace of development has created challenges for the Chinese state, from environmental and real estate policy to a lack of technical nous.
A 2021 Club World Cup can deliver on both Chinese and Fifa ambitions
Why Fifa has chosen to host the 2021 Club World Cup in China, and how the competition is a step forward towards China's football ambitions. Zhang Dan reports.
Will 2020 mark a return to health for China’s sporting stocks?
A two-year IPO freeze has hit Chinese sport companies, with numbers down and Wanda Sports’ listing a high-profile disappointment. How did ‘IPO fever’ fade, and will things change in 2020? Chen Yaolin reports.
Street League Skateboarding details 2020 schedule ahead of Olympics
Street League Skateboarding (SLS), the sport’s leading professional series, has announced its schedule for the 2020 season ahead of skateboarding’s Olympic debut in Tokyo this summer.
Coronavirus puts more sports events in China under question
China's General Administration of Sport has instructed the country's sports associations to consider cancelling upcoming events as far as April in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the country,…
China winter sports tourism and domestic skier numbers surge
A report on Chinese winter sport consumption habits by the China Tourism Academy and online Chinese tour operator Ctrip has said the number of winter sports tourists during the 2018-19 season hit 224 million
NBA and Tsai ‘optimistic’ over return of CCTV coverage
Brooklyn Nets owner Joseph Tsai has expressed his desire for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV to resume its coverage of the NBA basketball league amid the continued fallout caused by a tweet sent last year…
‘Team China’ brand sets high partnership price, targets $400m in quadrennial revenue
China’s General Administration of Sport has announced a new collective brand for all of China’s Olympic and Paralympic sports teams: "Team China". Zhang Dan investigates the new marketing initiative.
Beijing 2022: two years away but political and commercial challenges abound
The organisers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have adopted a less-is-more approach to their domestic sponsorship programme. Zhang Dan reports on their progress in becoming the first city to host both the summer and winter Games.
What happens when Asia’s sporting legends retire?
The legends of Li Na, Kim Yuna and Lee Chong Wei have all retired and their absences leave gaping holes in their sports back home, one that sponsors and associations are keen to fill as quickly as possible.
Yao Ming’s CBA juggling act gets a boost from NBA travails
After the Morey tweets, sentiment in the Chinese basketball sponsorship marketplace has swung the CBA’s way, making it easier for its leadership to focus on raising the quality of its core product: the league. Chen Yaolin finds out more.
The real reason the CFA is letting the CSL fly free: money, of course
Chinese policy towards state ownership of sports leagues has performed a massive U-turn, with oversight of the Chinese Super League being passed to a private entity. SportBusiness looks at why, and what will happen next.
China’s vision for sport changes under new political and economic imperatives
The Chinese State Council’s September revision of the country’s sports strategy includes changes that will be critical to note for domestic and overseas sports industry players. Sports industry academic Daniel Zhang analysed the new plan for SportBusiness.
The NBA’s burnt bridges in China won’t be mended easily
Despite NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s best efforts, the wound from Daryl Morey’s pro-Hong Kong protest tweets will have lasting repercussions on the future of basketball in China, not least among fans and sponsors. Industry insiders in China tell SportBusiness about Chinese sentiment on the ground.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
China Digest | Sports betting set to be legalised in Hainan
In this week's China sports industry round-up: Sports betting set to be legalised in Hainan | iQiyi adds more golf rights to its portfolio | University football association signs with Adidas