Yutang Weekly (9.21-9.27)

‍‍‍‍CSL TV rights sold for 8 billion yuan to Chinese company

Ti’ao Power won the bid for the producing and broadcasting rights of Chinese Super League from 2016 to 2020, with a price of RMB¥8 billion (US$125.52 million) which is almost 20 times of the current price for 2015 -- RMB¥80 million. Ti’ao Power will pay 1 billion yuan each year for the first two years, and 2 billion yuan each year for the next three years. 

Manchester City owner eyes on CSL club acquisition

Sheikh Mansour, owner of Premier League side Manchester City FC, is keen to acquire a team from Chinese Super League (CSL), according to Naver, the largest portal site based in South Korea. The South Korean website revealed that Mansour expected to buy a Beijing-based or Shanghai-based club of the Chinese top tier football league. 

UK to boost Chinese grassroots soccer with £3 million funding

The Chancellor of UK announced on Wednesday to boost a Chinese grassroots soccer project which covers thousands of young people with a £3 million funding. In a visit to Soong Chingling Soccer School in Urumqi, China, George Osborne announced the funding to support the training programs among over 5,000 new coaches. 

Sina Sports signs two English football players 

Gary Neville, the former captain of Manchester United and England international has signed with China’s Sina Sports as a guest commentator. Sina Sports has also secured a two-year agreement with Chelsea’s Belgium international and star player maker Eden Hazard to be a guest commentator. 

Chinese coach signs with ADO Den Haag

former Chinese National Team coach and Jiangsu Sainty coach Gao Hongbo will depart for the Netherlands to work as an assistant coach to ADO Den Haag FC so becoming the first Chinese coach to work for a European club since football turned professional in China. He has signed a one-year contract with the club. The deal was reportedly assisted by United Vansen, the Chinese company who bought ADO Den Haag. 

Letv Sports announces Premier League broadcast deal in Hong Kong 

Letv Sports announces that they have sealed a 3-year deal for the rights to broadcast the Premier League in Hong Kong from 2016/2017 season in a media press conference held in the city on Tuesday. The emerging online streamer will replace Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) to exclusively live screen all 380 Premier League matches in Hong Kong via its various channels every season from 2016/2017 until 2018/2019 season. 

La Liga to open new office in Beijing 

As part of its financial and global expansion plans, Spain's top football division, La Liga, is looking to build a stronger presence, not only in traditional markets such as South America, but also in new regions such as China. The league is opening offices in Beijing and Dubai, and plans to do so in Johannesburg and New York in the near future.

Luneng Group signs David Beckham

Luneng Group, a Shandong-based business group, held a press conference in the National Convention Center to announce a two-year strategic partnership with former soccer star David Beckham on Sunday. Luneng Group, a Shandong-based business group, held a press conference in the National Convention Center to announce a two-year strategic partnership with former soccer star David Beckham on Sunday. Under the deal, the former England international will serve as an ambassador of Luneng Group.