Yao Ming reaches consensus with CBA

According to a NetEase news story, Yao Ming, the retired Chinese professional basketball player, has paid a visit to the home of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the national non-profit Chinese sports organisation.

As we reported last month, Yao was appointed President of the China Professional League Basketball Club (Beijing) Ltd. Eighteen clubs under the CBA league have become the company’s stakeholders.

The two sides have agreed to set up a communication mechanism, which aims to accelerate reform of the CBA. During these talks, they have reached a five-point consensus as follows:

1.Yao’s company will support the CBA League Reform Plan approved by the Chinese sports governing body. Yao and his team are pleased to see that the CBA plans to set up a league management company. The establishment of this company will play a revolutionary role in separating the CBA from government.

2.Yao’s company, as participants, are willing to promote basketball reform under the guidance of the CBA.

3.The CBA will put forward a schedule to set up the new company. It is to form a preparatory team by late April and finalise the details before next season.

4.The CBA believes that Yao’s company is helpful in promoting basketball reform.

5.The two sides have agreed to have regular talks regarding basketball reform.

As stated in the report, follow-up talks are scheduled on April 19th.

Proofread by John Devlin.