Li-Ning goes global
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-08-15 09:35 The contract makes O'Neal the second current NBA player to have signed a deal
this year with Li-Ning, following Cleveland Cavaliers' guard Damon Jones in
January. The company became an NBA marketing partner last year and has sponsored
the Spanish national men's basketball team, which features Pau Gasol of the
Memphis Grizzlies, since 2002.
The O'Neal deal was also the biggest deal ever signed by a Chinese sportswear
company and an NBA player.
The previous highest deal involved Portland Trailblazers legend Clyde
Drexler, who signed with Athletics in 2005.
Zhang Zhiyong, CEO of Li-Ning Company said: "Basketball will be the major
sponsor target of the company ahead of 2008 and there will be further deals
after signing O'Neal."
Away from the basketball court, the company has joined men's professional
tennis tour (ATP) as an official marketing partner earlier this year.
(China Daily 08/15/2006 page16)
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