Yutang Weekly (6.15-6.20)

Euroleague unveils long-term strategic partnership in China

Euroleague Basketball and HBN (Beijing Hualu Baina Film & TV Inc.) announced this week an agreement to form a brand new company in China that will manage the rights of Europe's premier professional basketball league and further grow its commercial opportunities in Asia's biggest market.

The newly created Chinese company will focus on enhancing Euroleague Basketball's presence in the country through exhibition games, professional activities and grassroots programmes, while will also focusing on strong investment to grow the Euroleague brand, to increase the exposure of its games on premium communication platforms, and to amplify commercial opportunities in the years to come. Partner HBN will also contribute to expand the Euroleague's reach across its wide media networks, which have a measured value of €2.93 billion.  

Jorge Mendes in talks with Chinese investor over Gestifute

Super-agent Jorge Mendes alongside his private lawyer showed up in Shanghai China where he was believed to be in talks with Chinese consortium over transfer of his company Gestifute, as several Portuguese newspapers reported on June 17. Purchaser from China is intended to take over 50% business of Gestifute and the price would exceed an estimated value of 50 million euros. The talks between the sides are still in progress while the identity of the Chinese buyer has not been revealed. As Chinese media argued, the significance of the potential deal would be as impactful as that of Wanda’s acquisition of Infront. 

Master Kong officially becomes exclusive sponsor of NBA China

Pepsi claimed their partnership with NBA. They officially replaced Coke Cola and became the exclusive sponsor of NBA in April. Recently Master Kong, the Chinese partner of Pepsi, announced that they were NBA partner in Great China. From next season, Master Kong will be official market partner of NBA China. Master Kong Ice Tea will be the official drink of NBA China Games and several fans activities.

ISSF TV lands on YouKu, China's most popular video website

The International Shooting Sport Federation lands on YouKu, China's most popular video-sharing website with more than 500 million active users every month. Shooting sport footage produced by ISSF at its major competitions - including the ISSF World Cup Series and the ISSF World Championships - will be available to the Chinese shooting sport fans on demand right after each event, with dedicated interviews to Chinese champions. 

Chinese brands dominated Bhutan's stadium at qualification match

Yesterday evening at 8 o’clock Beijing Time, qualification match of 2018 FIFA World Cup took place in Bhutan, where Chinese team played against Bhutan. What caught the eyes of audiences was that perimeters at Changlimithang Stadium were mostly taken by Chinese brands, which produced a feeling that this was a home game of the Chinese team. The Chinese brands included Nongfu Spring, Jia Duobao, Ganten, Winning League, Lilanz Group, etc. It turned out that China Football Industry Development had bought 40 perimeter bands at the stadium from Bhutan Football Federation and resold them to Chinese brands. 

Man Utd and Man City are the most followed clubs on Weibo in China

The statistic date shows that Man United and Man City have over 8million followers each on Weibo and both clubs have more followers on the Chinese website than Twitter. Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao is the third most followed club and Barcelona are fourth, but Real Madrid are down in 18th place. It is worth mentioning that, five Premier League clubs feature in the top 12 on Weibo. 

CSL team Yatai FC gets new sponsor

Chinese Super League (CSL) side Changchun Yatai signed a new sponsor on Sunday, just before a new round of CSL game starts on Friday. The new sponsor is a financial company, Qianhai Zhongjin Group which was founded in 2013, and manages over 10 billion RMB. Headquartered in Shenzhen, the company’s primary business sectors include financial services, real estate, film and culture, and e-commerce.