Indazone
12-23-2008, 11:18 AM
B-Diddy, Shaq and J. Kidd
This could break the Rockets hold on extra bonus's to the likes of Shane Battier, Steve Francis, Yao, Scola, and even Adleman
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60540
Davis to endorse shoe, clothing line in China
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By LIZ MULLEN
Staff writer
Published November 10, 2008 : Page 06
Chinese shoe and apparel company Li-Ning has signed a five-year deal with Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis to endorse a signature line of shoes and clothing that will be sold exclusively — at least initially — in China.
Bill Duffy, president of BDA Sports, which represents Davis, said the line may eventually be sold in the U.S. The deal with Davis “represents Li-Ning’s future foray into the U.S. market, and Baron provides them with an established American star in the prime of his career,” Duffy said.
Duffy would not disclose financial details of the deal, but he said, “This is the largest deal ever for a non-Chinese athlete with a Chinese company.”
The deal was negotiated for Davis by Todd Ramasar, Davis’ primary agent, and Lu Hao, primary agent at Starz Sports, BDA’s China affiliate. BDA counts Houston Rockets center Yao Ming among its clients.
Davis, who left the Golden State Warriors to sign with the Clippers as a free agent this summer, has already filmed commercials for Li-Ning that will be shown in China.
Davis had been a Reebok endorser, but that five-year deal expired over the summer.
Li-Ning also has a deal with NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and a marketing rights deal with the NBA. Asked whether Li-Ning might sign more NBA players, brand marketing director Luka He said, “Anything is possible.”
Li-Ning is not the only Chinese company to sign an NBA star. Jason Kidd signed a deal with Peak, another Chinese sportswear company, in August, after having endorsed Nike for years.
While American companies are being “very prudent” with marketing dollars in the tough economy, the market for American athlete endorsements is growing, Duffy said. “I know there are two or three other new Chinese brands that want to get into the game of endorsements,” Duffy said
This could break the Rockets hold on extra bonus's to the likes of Shane Battier, Steve Francis, Yao, Scola, and even Adleman
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60540
Davis to endorse shoe, clothing line in China
Print This Story
By LIZ MULLEN
Staff writer
Published November 10, 2008 : Page 06
Chinese shoe and apparel company Li-Ning has signed a five-year deal with Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis to endorse a signature line of shoes and clothing that will be sold exclusively — at least initially — in China.
Bill Duffy, president of BDA Sports, which represents Davis, said the line may eventually be sold in the U.S. The deal with Davis “represents Li-Ning’s future foray into the U.S. market, and Baron provides them with an established American star in the prime of his career,” Duffy said.
Duffy would not disclose financial details of the deal, but he said, “This is the largest deal ever for a non-Chinese athlete with a Chinese company.”
The deal was negotiated for Davis by Todd Ramasar, Davis’ primary agent, and Lu Hao, primary agent at Starz Sports, BDA’s China affiliate. BDA counts Houston Rockets center Yao Ming among its clients.
Davis, who left the Golden State Warriors to sign with the Clippers as a free agent this summer, has already filmed commercials for Li-Ning that will be shown in China.
Davis had been a Reebok endorser, but that five-year deal expired over the summer.
Li-Ning also has a deal with NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and a marketing rights deal with the NBA. Asked whether Li-Ning might sign more NBA players, brand marketing director Luka He said, “Anything is possible.”
Li-Ning is not the only Chinese company to sign an NBA star. Jason Kidd signed a deal with Peak, another Chinese sportswear company, in August, after having endorsed Nike for years.
While American companies are being “very prudent” with marketing dollars in the tough economy, the market for American athlete endorsements is growing, Duffy said. “I know there are two or three other new Chinese brands that want to get into the game of endorsements,” Duffy said