NBA Goes to China
American sports have been attempting to export themselves for years, with NFL Europa lasting a few years and baseball being hugely popular in Latin America, the NBA is the latest to attempt to broaden its markets…this time in China. China has already exported two big stars to the league, in Houston center Yao Ming, and Bucks rookie forward Yi Jianian, and now David Stern is looking to return the favor.
The NBA certainly rivals, if not leads MLB in countries represented, with Aussies, Asians, Europeans, Central and South Americans, and Africans all having found success in the league. The Cavs and Magic played an exhibition game against each other in Shanghai, and then against Chinese All-Star teams in Macau, a Chinese autonomous region and Asian gambling mecca. According to an article by John Hollinger on ESPN.com, the turnout, while being hailed as a sellout, seemed anything but. Of course, Macau is not Shanghai or Beijing, and the game was played there because the stadium is more in line with NBA arenas, but not selling out an 11,000 seat stadium doesn’t show that the Chinese are falling all over themselves for the NBA. Or perhaps, they are just discerning fans that don’t feel like wasting money any more than most Americans, on seeing preseason games where the stars sit on the sidelines in suits.
Of course, the play isn’t the most important thing anyway. What is important is the fact that LeBron unveiled his new shoes, which will only be available in China. No doubt there was much more excitement over that then the actual games.
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