NBA to Open Branch in ChinaAlthough there is little hope for Yao Ming's transfer to NBA, the latter however, has looked the market in Shanghai as promising.Last week, Mike Denzel, vice-president and general-manager of NBA to Asia along with senior vice-president in charge of NBA's international business called on Yao Songping, deputy director of Shanghai Sports Administration, and started their market exploration there. Unlike other brokers frequented Shanghai to arrange Yao Ming's transfer, NBA officials went there for the purpose of extending NBA's business to China. Shanghai thereby became their first spot. In addition to meeting with government officials, they also visited Shanghai Stadium and kept in touch with concerned managers of Shanghai Oriental Basketball Club (OBC). As for Yao Ming's matter, they did not go deep into it. Later at a press conference, Bai Li, general-manager of OBC, revealed that NBA would open two firms in Beijing and Shanghai. Probably two warm-up matches would be held in October next year in two Chinese cities, the four candidates are: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. By PD Online Staff Member Yin Zhili |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |