AFL boss comes to China

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan will arrive in Shanghai on Wednesday, joining Australian Prime Minister(PM) Malcolm Turnbull and Port Adelaide chiefs, David Koch and Keith Thomas, in a major sponsorship announcement, according to an Australian news website. 

While McLachlan and Thomas, Port's chief executive, refused to give details of the lucrative new deal, the Port expansion has already broken new ground with the club broadcasting games into China through a separate contract with China Central Television.

Koch, Port's chairman, outlined their vision for expansion into China in his pre-game address before the club's round-three clash with Essendon. This will include introducing a modified version of Australian rules into Chinese schools.

While the Australian PM has agreed to attend the Port Adelaide announcement, the agreement is expected to have strong links with the South Australian government with a view to expanding tourism and links between the two regions.

The current deal with CCTV involves the broadcasting of three of Port's 2016 games into China along with a 25-part documentary series about the club and the game, to be televised on CCTV's sports channel.

Source: WAtoday

Proofread by John Devlin.