The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) side Shanghai Sharks is looking to rebuild its home court Pudong Yuanshen Gymnasium into a high-standard professional court.

The Hall of Famer Yao Ming played in Shanghai Sharks before he entered the National Basketball Association in 2002 and moved the club from Luwan Sports Arena to Pudong Yuanshen after he bought the team in 2009.

Pudong Yuanshen, with a current 5000-seat capacity, is expected to be transformed into a 10,000-seat arena, which wll meet the FIBA and the CBA’s standard for a professional basketball court. It is said that the rebuilding will start at the end of this year.

Yang Shengxuan, the club commercial general manager, said, “We all know the importance of a home court for a basketball club. The rebuilding of Pudong Yuanshen will be very helpful for Shanghai Sharks’ development in both fan base expansion and sponsorships. ”

Reports are also emanating that Yao will sell the CBA team to 4 companies.

Source: sports.online.sh.cn

Proofread by William Logsdon