Here is the top sports business news you need to know from this week:
UFC to Host First Event in China
The UFC will stage its first event in mainland China at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai this November. The event will feature international and homegrown UFC stars. General Tire will serve as the presenting sponsor. Tickets are now on sale through ticketing platform damai.com. Read more on EcoSports (Chinese)
La Liga and Chinese consumer electronics company Konka Group have reached an agreement for the next two years. Konka will be one of La Liga’s regional sponsors in China. It will have a strong brand presence at all La Liga events in the Asian country. The financial terms of the agreement are yet to be released. Read more on SportsPro (English)
Tencent Buys 9% Stake in UK’s Frontier Developments
Tencent has bought a 9% stake in the UK’s only listed video game developer, Frontier Developments, for RMB 150 million ($22.3 million). The investment aims to promote Tencent’s latest video game, Honour of Kings, in the US and Europe. With this deal, Tencent becomes the second largest shareholder in Frontier. Read more on SportsMoney (Chinese)
Tencent Sports Acquire New Football Rights
Tencent Sports recently acquired non-exclusive media broadcasting rights of Ligue 1, Serie A, the FA Cup and the Scottish Premiership. Tencent sports have the right to distribute the above matches through its multiple digital channels. This deal means that Tencent now own most European Football new media rights including the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga. Read more on Lanxiong (Chinese)
IMG’s New Partner Brings “Stars on Ice” to China
IMG recently signed a 10-year partnership deal with Hong Yue Sports to bring “Stars On Ice” to China. Stars on Ice is a touring figure skating show produced by IMG. Hong Yue Sports will organise and promote the tour in China. Read more on EcoSports (Chinese)
OPPO to Launch New FCB Smartphone
OPPO will launch the new, limited edition, FC Barcelona smartphone on 8th August. The Guangdong based consumer electronics firm partnered with the Spanish club during the 2015/16 season. Last year, OPPO launched their first special edition FCB smartphone in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the partnership. Read more on Sports Money (Chinese)
Mailman is a sports digital consultancy and marketing platform and a leader in the China Sports Marketing industry. We help global rights holders, athletes, and leagues to build a successful business in China.
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