Li Ning - China's New Sponsor

**kevinboy** · 02-05-2009, 10:26 AM

I have seen a photo of Lin Dan in Li Ning shirt.
Just know that they have a new contract with Li Ning

**twobeer** · 02-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by kevinboy

I have seen a photo of Lin Dan in Li Ning shirt.
Just know that they have a new contract with Li Ning

Maybe just for clothing :-)

If Yonex looses China national team, I think Chinese racket brands may become strong competitors to Yonex (marketing wise).. I doubt Yonex will allow that, they will probably pay trough their nose to keep team china sponsorship

/Twobeer

**cooler** · 02-05-2009, 11:29 AM

china team was also sponsored by kason and sotx before in one way or another(internal). Since LN bot kason, it is not a surprise to see LN logo now to replace kason. I doubt the chinese pros are ready to give up their yonex stuffs yet

**cooler** · 02-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by twobeer

Maybe just for clothing :-)

If Yonex looses China national team, I think Chinese racket brands may become strong competitors to Yonex (marketing wise).. I doubt Yonex will allow that, they will probably pay trough their nose to keep team china sponsorship

/Twobeer

actually, we are paying thru the nose

**Danstevens** · 02-05-2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by cooler

actually, we are paying thru the nose

Good point, that money has got to come from somewhere.

**jiaharng** · 02-05-2009, 04:30 PM

Chinese national team doesnt appear in new 2009 Yonex catalogue so many people think that the national team is not sponsored by Yonex anymore!

However, we will get to know during All England 2009!

**Athelete1234** · 02-05-2009, 05:01 PM

Well better snatch up those CP racquet while they last...haha.

**cooler** · 02-05-2009, 06:33 PM

hahahaha, maybe, just maybe,yonex will diverge more money into north america, EU and russian badminton clubs and associations. Yonex will fight the chinese with russia blonds and european brunettes

**huangkwokhau** · 02-05-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by twobeer

Maybe just for clothing :-)

If Yonex looses China national team, I think Chinese racket brands may become strong competitors to Yonex (marketing wise).. I doubt Yonex will allow that, they will probably pay trough their nose to keep team china sponsorship

/Twobeer

Yes..Yonex loses China...I have reported on my side news before....
Li Ning is developing his own racket as Li Ning is going to position Kason below Li Ning's racket.
As a matter of fact, Li Ning was lined up to sponsor INA team as well...Li Ning has been invited by Djarum in open bidding this month along with Wilson, Babolat, Apacs, Yonex, Astec, Flypower...

**YueFei** · 02-05-2009, 07:14 PM

I heard that despite their initial apparel contract with Li Ning, team China still expressed interest in continuing their racket sponsorship with Yonex. However, because YY wanted to increase sales in apparel- especially jerseys- they demanded that team China accept total sponsorship or nothing at all.

In the end, the two parties couldn't come to a consensus, and LN became the sole sponsorer of team China.

**bluecraze07** · 02-05-2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by YueFei

I heard that despite their initial apparel contract with Li Ning, team China still expressed interest in continuing their racket sponsorship with Yonex. However, because YY wanted to increase sales in apparel- especially jerseys- they demanded that team China accept total sponsorship or nothing at all.

In the end, the two parties couldn't come to a consensus, and LN became the sole sponsorer of team China.

If that is true. It's a pretty big step for Li-Ning!

**suetyan** · 02-05-2009, 07:23 PM

China's contractual agreement with Yonex will be due in April. There is a news saying that Li-Ning will take over Yonex

Here are some pictures taken from Chen Shujia's blog

**limsy** · 02-05-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by suetyan

China's contractual agreement with Yonex will be due in April. There is a news saying that Li-Ning will take over Yonex

Here are some pictures taken from Chen Shujia's blog

erm...who is this girl?csj?

**jiaharng** · 02-05-2009, 07:28 PM

I think China team would be proud if they can wear and use their local brand clothing and equipment during international matches.

Yonex CP and CH coded racquets will become history soon and I feel so bad as I have none of the CP nor CH coded racquet.

**YueFei** · 02-05-2009, 07:28 PM

Yea, it's a pretty big step for LN. But personally, I feel it's a bit weird for a brand without much current presence in the badminton market to all of a sudden step up and take on sponsorship for such a dominant team; I guess it can only happen in China.

Then again, LN should have the funds to develop decent rackets if it wants to; the question is, how long will it take for them to catch up to other brands?

**suetyan** · 02-05-2009, 07:40 PM

It is a good news too if China can be sponsored by Li-Ning. They can wear their local brand shirts, shoes and use their local rackets. All equipments of the players are printed with Li-Ning. This is so called 'Made in China'

**cooler** · 02-05-2009, 08:10 PM

look like LN wins the pot by yonex's all-in call.

lucky for yonex, more players going free agent these days.
Yonex can pay them more now.
Then chinese players start looking over their shoulders and tempted to go free agent 'sooner'. More competition = better for the players and the sports.