Basketball

LiAngelo Ball, UCLA teammates return home from China

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China Sports Insider can exclusively reveal that LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill – the UCLA players detained for shoplifting in Hangzhou while on a trip to China – have been released and have now arrived back home in Los Angeles.

The three were arrested last week on Monday and, while they were initially released from police custody, they remained under effective house arrest at an upmarket hotel in Hangzhou – with the trio all staying in a the same room – until their release earlier this afternoon.  Continue reading LiAngelo Ball, UCLA teammates return home from China →

General

10 questions on the Chinese sports industry

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US-based sports marketing guru Joe Favorito reached out and asked me to do a Q&A for his site on various aspects of the Chinese sports industry. Given that his weekly industry newsletter is distributed to well over 30,000 people, I was more than happy to oblige. Joe published the results in two parts – here and here – which are reprinted below. 

Continue reading 10 questions on the Chinese sports industry →

Basketball

Who is Joseph Tsai and why is he buying into the Nets?

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With the news that Alibaba vice chairman Joe Tsai is set to acquire a 49% stake in the Brooklyn Nets, here’s a closer look at the newest sports team owner on the block and his reasons for joining the NBA’s exclusive club. 

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American Football, Basketball

Stephon Marbury buys arena football franchise – in China

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Following on from yesterday’s post about the growing trend of athletes becoming sports team owners, it can now be revealed that Stephon Marbury has purchased the Beijing Lions, a cornerstone franchise of the fledgling China Arena Football League.  Continue reading Stephon Marbury buys arena football franchise – in China →

Basketball

Sports stars are buying teams – even in China

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Increasingly in the sports world, former – and even current – sports stars are taking ownership stakes in franchises. Could China be part of this growing trend? 

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Basketball

Why the Mavs have struck gold in China

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In a marketing stroke of genius, the Dallas Mavericks are asking their Chinese fans to choose a new (Chinese) name for the team. Here’s why having a good Chinese name for your brand, product or even sport can be the crucial difference between standing out in the world’s largest market or going unnoticed. 

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Football

Is La Liga really coming to China?

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Real Madrid and Barcelona now appear to be closer than ever before to playing regular La Liga games in China – but just how soon could that become a reality, what obstacles still lie in the way and what sort of impact would that have on global sport? 

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Football

Three ways Chinese investors can still buy European football clubs

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Following the most recent Chinese takeover of a European club, Part 1 took a look at what Southampton fans can expect from their new owner. Part 2, below, will analyze what the latest policy moves from Beijing mean for the future of Chinese investment in football – and why future deals may or may not happen. 

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Football

What Saints fans can expect from their Chinese owners

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Recent headlines have proclaimed “the end of Chinese transfers”, with the purchase of Southampton FC by Lander Sports’ Gao Jisheng appearing to sneak in just under the deadline. Part 1 (below) will take a look at what the Gao deal means for Southampton – and what fans can reasonably expect – while Part 2 will analyze the wider implications of Chinese takeovers following the latest developments and regulations. 

Continue reading What Saints fans can expect from their Chinese owners →

Sports business news and analysis in China and Asia