2011 CBA All-Star Game touches new heights
After six years of the CBA-Infront partnership, the annual CBA All-Star Game is the dazzling annual highlight in Chinese basketball
The participating teams for the CBA All-Star Game – the highlight of the weekend - were selected from an online ballot hosted by the official CBA website. The CBA All-Star Player Online-Ballot, which took place from 10 January to 28 February, recorded almost 4.5 million valid votes, marking a huge increase of more than 350% over 2010. To warm up the fans, ahead of the main spectacle a Rookie Game is also being played to promote young CBA players.
Both games are due to be broadcast live on CCTV-5, the Chinese state sports broadcaster and also on Beijing TV for the first time, suggesting the CBA All-Star game will notch up an increased television audience over last year’s impressive 44 million and eight hours of live broadcast. It all adds up to “best ever” status for this year’s edition of the highlight of China’s basketball year. Media production is again being handled by CCTV Sports.
A superb and iconic location
The iconic MasterCard Centre was first used for the CBA All-Star Game in 2010. It was also the host venue for the men's and women's basketball games during the 29th Beijing Olympic Games. The futuristic multi-purpose arena has state-of-the-art facilities for 13,000 fans and features 45 luxury suites, two restaurants as well as a world-class lighting and sound system.
Former NBA and today’s CBA League super stars
The competing teams include three of the most famous players in China. For example, the North Team has former NBA players Quincy Douby and Mengke Bateer on board, as well as Zhang Qingpeng (all Xinjiang Flying Tigers). In the South Team is former NBA superstar, Wang Zhizhi (Bayi Army Rockets) one of the greatest Chinese basketball players of all time – as famous as Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. He will play side-on-side with Stephon Marbury (Foshan Nengxing Cuiyi), the greatest US basketball star playing in China today. The point guard is a two-time NBA All-Star and won the MVP award at the 2010 CBA All-Star Game.
Impressive sponsor line-up
The impressive sponsor line-up secured by Infront consists of both strong domestic and international brands. This notable marketing success is demonstrating the value of basketball as a sponsorship medium.
The 2011 hierarchy includes three categories of sponsorship: one Main Sponsor, three Official Partners and six Official Sponsors. There are also nine Official Suppliers.
The game’s Official Main Sponsor is Anta, one of China’s leading sports apparel companies, a loyal supporter of the CBA League. The three Official Partners are NetEase (internet products & services); United Parcel Service (postal services) and 360buy.com (e-business). The six Official Sponsors include Nike (official ball), TCL (electronics), Konica Minolta (office equipment), Ningbo Qishuai (electrical appliances), Dubon (insurance) and PAK (electrical devices).
Official suppliers include eight Chinese companies plus Tissot. For the Swiss watch brand China is one of its most important growth markets.
Enhanced grassroots and entertainment programme
The growing impact of the CBA All-Star weekend owes much to the impressive promotional campaign undertaken by Infront to ensure that this is the most glittering fixture in the Chinese basketball calendar.
This year, the qualifying games for the Skills Challenge, Slam Dunk, and Three-Point Shootout will be held right after the Rookie Games, to increase the entertainment value of the weekend. Also, the best players selected from the Street Ball competition will play an exhibition match prior to the start of Rookie Games. All these activities will be broadcast live on both CCTV and BTV, giving wonderful exposure to promising young players.
In addition, the CBA All-Star Opening Ceremony has been further enhanced and – as well as dancing, singing and entertainment – will include a novel way of presenting its star players. The programme will be highlighted by the appearance of another Chinese super star, the glamorous pop singer Jane Zhang (Zhang Liangying).
Mr. Liu Xiaonong, the Vice President of CBA, said: “In 2011, CBA League enters its 16th year. The level of competition and professionalism of the League has been raised gradually over the past 16 years. The value, image, and recognition of CBA League is also improving. The CBA All-Star Weekend, the most entertaining event of CBA League, is becoming more and more popular among its fans and media. This year’s CBA All-Star Weekend will again be staged at Beijing’s Olympic-standard arena — the MasterCard Centre, formerly know as Wukesong Arena. We believe that the event will bring a great enjoyment of basketball to everyone.”
Mr. Zhang Tao, Vice President of Anta, added: “As the main sponsor of the CBA League, Anta has further invested in the CBA to become the Main Sponsor of the CBA All-Star Weekend this year. We are very happy with this even closer association. Anta’s design for the CBA All-Star apparel this year reflects water and fire, the most powerful natural elements in the world. We hope that the upcoming weekend will be a huge success and bring to its fans the utmost enjoyment of basketball.”
Mr. Ma Guoli, Managing Director of Infront China, commented: “The popularity of the CBA All-Star Weekend is closely associated with the popularity of CBA League. The event has 20 sponsors, the highest in its history. As the event’s promoter, Infront is focused on improving every detail of our work to reach an even higher level of quality. I am confident that this year’s event will bring fans, sponsors and media another wonderful weekend – the best way for us to thank everyone for their ongoing support of the CBA League.”
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years to become one of the leading international sports marketing groups in the world. Known for its high standards of delivery, the company covers all aspects of a successful sport event – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operations. As a key player in winter sport, football and other summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 120 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. With an experienced and passionate team of 500 staff in over 20 offices across 10 countries, the Group helps to annually deliver more than 2,300 event days of top class sport around the world.
With its office in Beijing, the company is an established player in China. Infront has already made a real impact through important strategic partnerships with China’s top sport – basketball – at both league and national team level. Infront is creating a new resource for companies and federations/properties interested in growing their brands or sports in China, whilst also allowing Chinese rights holders and commercial partners access to the European market.
For further information, please contact:
Jörg Polzer / Nike Möhle
Corporate Communications
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com
Jenny Yu
Associate Director, Communication
Infront Sports & Media (China) Co. Ltd.
Tel. +86-10-8889 0816
Fax +86-10-8889 0808/0809
jenny.yu infrontasia.com
www.infrontasia.com
