China

The ‘Team China’ strategic partnership between World Rugby, internet company Alibaba and the Chinese Rugby Football Association has been put on hold temporarily after rugby union’s global governing body expressed frustration about the initiative’s rate of progress in the country.

The Alisports arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has sealed a series A funding round worth RMB1.2bn (€153.3m/$189m).

Under the leadership of Yao Ming and his long-time friend and ally Ma Guoli, the Chinese Basketball Association is undergoing arguably the most ambitious reforms in Chinese sport. Ahead of the second edition of the Leaders Sport Business Summit in Beijing on 25th and 26th July this year, Leaders editor-at-large James Emmett visited the CBA League offices to find out how Yao and Ma are doing it.

Bank of China, a partner of the 2022 winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, has announced that it will pump RMB30bn (€3.9bn/$4.8bn) into the winter sports industry in the country.

The International Renewable Energy Arena (IRENA) has partnered with the People’s Government of Hebei Province in China to support the city of Zhangjiakou in its renewable energy initiatives ahead of its co-hosting of the 2022 winter Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside Beijing.

Tom Glick, chief commercial officer of City Football Group (CFG), has revealed that the company is seeking to expand its portfolio of clubs, citing China as a market it would be interested in investing in.

French Ligue 1 football club Paris Saint-Germain has partnered with Asian sports marketing agency Desports in a move designed to further its global development.

Argentinean football superstar Lionel Messi has agreed an endorsement deal with Mengniu Group, a Chinese dairy products manufacturer that will also serve as an official sponsor of this year’s Fifa World Cup national team tournament.

Golf’s European Tour has made further efforts to expand its horizons by establishing a commercial base in Australasia, while the Asian Tour has added another Chinese tournament to its calendar.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has awarded hosting rights for the inaugural edition of its women’s Nations League Finals to the Chinese city of Nanjing.

The NFL employed Chinese-Canadian superstar Kris Wu as an ambassador in its latest attempt to cultivate audiences in China. Mark Dreyer examines the thinking behind the move and looks at historical attempts by the league to build audiences in the country.

Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag has said the electric car-racing series is in talks over holding new races in Beirut, Cairo and Doha, along with returning to China.

In this week's China sports industry round-up: AFC tenders commercial rights; China sends record numbers to Winter Olympics; and Alibaba starts activating Olympic sponsorship

Brazilian football star Neymar has signed an endorsement deal with Chinese consumer electronics company TCL.

In this week's China sports industry round-up: CSL extends media rights deal with CSM; Sina partners with Mediapro to promote 3x3; and NBA plans month-long Chinese New Year celebration.

English Premier League giant Manchester United is the most influential football club online in China, but the German Bundesliga has retained top spot as the No.1 European football league online in the country, according to Chinese sports digital consultancy and marketing company Mailman.