From Reuters:
I've heard some skepticism in the past about whether there are really 300 million people in China who "play basketball." Based on what I've seen in my three years here, I'm skeptical of that number too. That's about one out of every 4.5 people. No, don't think so. Basketball is definitely popular, but not that popular.
Photo of Dwight Howard in Shanghai from Getty ImagesCHICAGO (Reuters) - Watch out "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol." The National Basketball Association is launching its latest reality TV show, but fans will have to understand Mandarin Chinese to watch it.
"Mengniu NBA Basketball Disciple," airing in China starting in May, is part of the NBA's effort to build its popularity in the world's most populous country. The show follows the formation of a partnership that could lead to an NBA-backed league in China.
"We're having an incredibly exciting season here in run-up to the playoffs and you can absolutely feel that very much in China just as if you were in any of the cities here in the U.S.," said Heidi Ueberroth, president of the NBA's international business. "The popularity of the game in China is at an all-time high."
The NBA has supported Chinese basketball for decades, including first hosting the Chinese national team in 1985. Chinese interest spiked after 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming joined the NBA in 2002. The league now has 51 different networks broadcasting games in China.
...The show, a basketball competition in 64 cities involving retired NBA stars, will be broadcast on Shandong TV in mainland China on Friday nights from May 22 to August 28. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to try out for the NBA's lower-level developmental league.
Chinese dairy company Mengniu, an NBA marketing partner since 2007, is the show's main sponsor. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
An estimated 300 million people -- a total equal to the entire U.S. population -- play basketball in China, the NBA said, citing data provided by the Chinese Basketball Association. China's government also is planning to build basketball courts in up to 800,000 rural villages.
The number of viewers of league programing in China rose 34 percent last season to a record 1.6 billion, while traffic on the Chinese section of NBA.com has surged more than 50 percent.
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The NBA does have something special going on in China though. I can't tell you how many times I've heard a Chinese man or woman say that he or she wants to go to America "so I can see an NBA game." Out of all the reasons I've heard people say they want to visit or live in America, that is by far the most popular I've heard.
While the NBA is undoubtedly pleased about its global growth, I'm curious about how much this expansion in China has paid off so far.
Sure, the NBA sells a lot of merchandise. The only problem is that most of it is shanzhai, or counterfeit goods. If a factory in southern China makes illegal LeBron James jerseys, the NBA isn't going to get a cut of that money. And believe me, there is a lot of fake NBA stuff floating around China. Surely, the NBA has to be one of the biggest supporters of getting Chinese officials to enforce intellectual property rights.
The NBA already has an amazing depth of international talent. It, more than any other American sport (except maybe baseball and Latin America), has embraced globalization and opening its fan base to the entire world.
The NBA's global popularity is already paying off for the league. I imagine in the future that the NBA's push in China and other countries will continue to be worth the investment and effort.
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5 comments:
Oh Yes, NBA is hugely popular here in China , but, as you say, not to the extent of 300m people. And perhaps 90% of NBA merchandise here is pirated.
Very very popular amongst youngsters. I would guess that the star of the Olympics last year to the Chinese youngster was neither Usain Bolt, nor Michael Phelps. It was Kobe Bryant.
I am so tired of the 300 million people count that the NBA pushes everywhere. Thank you for citing it with the skepticism that lots of journalists don't. Nike filed suit earlier this week against a couple of Chinese companies for pirating the Jumpman logo. And then of course there is stuff like the brand Qiaodan, which is totally legal. Piracy is a problem, but it shouldn't keep any sports league out of China right now.
Out where I am in Xinjiang, EVERYBODY plays basketball. Now when I say "play", I don't mean they're good, but they can generally aim the ball within a 10 foot radius of the hoop. Maybe that's where the 300 million comes from?
As a side note, though, even with all of the shanzhai stuff around (90% according the commenter above) a 10% cut might be enough to satisfy the NBA - at least for now.
You think there's a market for a Westerner to teach basketball fundamentals in China? Maybe I could be like Jesus Shuttlesworth's dad?
Attention all Chinese wealthy businessman who are NBA fans; see the world famous Chicago Bulls play at United Center less than one mile from where you will stay in downtown Chicago in my modern condominium. For the low price of $588 US Dollars per day, you will receive a knowledgeable, polite guide. Native Shanghainese speaker available on request for an additional $399.
Seriously, the economy is getting that bad over here...
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