Report: UA eyeing pricy CBA deal

American sports clothing and accessories manufacturer Under Armour (UA) is eyeing the opportunity to become the new main sponsor of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the top tier basketball leaguein China, Sina Sports reported.

Under Armour has even reportedly proposed an offer of an annual sponsorship fee of RMB800m (US$122.28m)to the CBA in order to replace Chinese sportswear provider Li-Ning as the CBA’s next main sponsor, according to a report on Sina Sports. However, other sources maintainedthat the figure offered by UA was around RMB600m (US$ 91.74m) while a domestic sports brand was the one which proposed an annual fee of RMB800m to the CBA.

With Li-Ning’s RMB2b five-year deal with CBA setto expire later this year, many brands have shown their interest in associating with the basketball league.

If the report on UA’s CBA offer is true, it would indicate the brand’s ambition to tap the rising sports consumption market in China.

Source: Sina Sports

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin.