China League, the dark horse in professional sports?

Both clubs and sponsors of China League strongly appeals for the setting-up of a corporation to manage the overall business development for the second football division in China at the China League Business Conference held in Shenzhen on October 11.

In January, China League finished the drought of no title sponsor for the last ten years and successfully sold the broadcasting rights of its games. However, the China League clubs still negotiate their commercial deals separately so far. Ledman, as a strategic partner of the Chinese Football Association, official partner of CSL and official sponsor of a China League club, showed its willingness to lead the initiative in creating a platform responsible for the overall business development of the China League and eventually to realize the systematically commercial operation for the League.  

Li Mantie, chairman of Ledman, said the overall business development of China League is extremely urgent and Ledman is willing to lead the move but need the help of CFA and clubs in the League.

“A record RMB8 billion for the broadcasting right of CLS over the next five years is a catalyst stimulant, but there is no substantial progress for China League. Once the platform is established, the business operation of China League will become more systematically and the overall commercial value for the League will also be raised to a new level,” said Mr. Li.

Zhang Xuesong, General Manager of Ledman, added that they would like to cooperate with China League on various business areas, including business development for China League as a whole, talent scouting, youth football traning, brokerage, event venue operation, and planning for matchday etc. 

Representative from the China League believed that there is an urgent need to set up a China League Corporation or something like China League Business Alliance to ensure the business of China League to be negotiated collectively and to allow the money equally allocated to all clubs in the League. 

Tan Xu, former chairman of Qingdao Jonoon Group echoed that Chinese Super League has already established a complete eco system but things in China League are pretty rough. Clubs in China League are still in a fierce food chain where preys are bullied by predators. Mr. Tan showed his support to build up a commercial corporation for the overall well-being of the China League clubs. In this way, Tan Xu believed, the influence, competitiveness and image of the China League will be improved. 

Source: Xinhua