NETS Basketball and Infront China Align in China Market
The NETS, one of three NBA teams currently featuring a Chinese player, have been extremely active in China for the past year. With the addition of Yi Jianlian in 2008, the NETS acquired an up and coming NBA player and one of China’s most popular athletes. Yi’s addition to the NETS has led to an immediate increase in media exposure for the team and interest amongst Chinese fans and commercial partners. On December 22, 2008, more than 106 million people viewed the game between the Houston Rockets and the NETS. Moving forward, the NETS are committed to making China an even more significant part of the NETS overall business development strategy.
“We are thrilled to have such a well-respected and inventive company as Infront China serve as our exclusive sales and marketing arm in greater China,” said NETS CEO Brett Yormark. “In anticipation of my business trip to China in June, I am confident that Infront China and its joint venture partner Excel Sports Management will connect us with relevant brands that see value in a strategic partnership with the NETS. We were impressed with Infront’s success with helping to facilitate the sponsorship we consummated last year with athletic footwear and apparel company PEAK International. This transaction is emblematic the NETS’ providing value for best-in-class companies in the international business community.”
Infront China is the global exclusive marketing partner of the China Basketball Association, holding marketing rights both for the CBA League and the Women’s and Men’s National Teams for basketball, making Infront China one of the major players in the Chinese sports marketplace.
Benedikt Von Dohnanyi, the director of basketball development of Infront China, said, “We are happy to be working together with the NETS, who have shown a great commitment towards aligning with companies based in China and is one of the most promising sports marketing properties in China. With over 60 games broadcast in mainland China this past NBA season, the NETS offer their partners a premier commercial platform.”
About NETS Basketball
The NETS are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association that play in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. They currently play their home games in the IZOD CENTER in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The NETS are planning to move to the soon-to-be-built Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in the 2011-12 season. In 2008, the NETS acquired Chinese star Yi Jianlian, significantly improving the team’s popularity among Chinese fans.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront, based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the most experienced international sports marketing companies in the world with an exceptional track record in major events. Infront has successfully entered the Asian market with China as its first point of entry. With its office in Beijing and close to 40 employees, the company is now an established player. Infront has already made a real impact through important strategic partnerships with China’s top sports –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:
Barry Baum
Vice President, Business Communications
NETS Basketball
Tel. 917-847-1737
bbaum njnets.com
Jenna Li
Communication Manager
Infront Sports & Media (China) Co., Ltd.
Tel. +86-10-8889 0810
Fax +86-10-8889 0809
jenna.li infrontasia.com
www.infrontasia.com
