NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat has joined China's leading
sportswear company LiNing to tap the huge basketball market in China.
Shaquille O'Neal at
the press conference. sina.com photo |
Laser lights and camera flashes lit up the conference hall as Shaquille
O'Neal signed the five-year contract with Zhang Zhiyong, CEO of LiNing Company.
Zhang Zhiyong speaks highly of the NBA superstar, saying Shaq's personal
charisma fits well into the company's image and ideas.
"I always believe that a good brand should find a good representative who can
fully demonstrate the unique character of the products. Shaquille O'Neal is such
a good representative. I hope that his great charisma will also be fully
demonstrated through our products to attract the young generation in China.Ħħ
Under the deal, the company will use O'Neal's image, jersey number, and
signature on their products. They will first target the Chinese market in the
next two years and then try to expand the cooperation to the global market.
Zhang Zhiyong, CEO of LiNing Company, disclosed that their first Shaq
product, the specially-designed Shaq sneakers, would be on the market by next
January, followed by more basketball-related products.
Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal also looks forward to the
cooperation.
"Being a champion is all about being with a good team. That's why I want to
come to China and join with LiNing 'cause he has a great team over here.
Anything is possible. We will become champions here in China.Ħħ
O'Neal is the latest international sports hero to join the LiNing family.
Earlier this year, Cleveland Cavaliers' Damon Jones was the first NBA player to
represent LiNing.
Besides the NBA, LiNing is the official sponsor of both the men's and women's
basketball teams of Spain. The company also sponsors the French gymnastics team.
Zhang Zhiyong, the company's CEO, explains their globalization plan for the
next decade.
"LiNing Company has always valued our sports resources with an international
vision. The Chinese market will be our major focus before 2008. Then after 2008,
we'll turn our eyes to the global market. By 2018, we'll strive to be one of the
five leading international brands in the world."
Zhang stressed that the company would strive to take the lead on the
international stage.
