As reported by a Hong Kong newspaper on April 7, the total value of Chinese sports industry is worth 2,000 billion yuan, and the value of football industry, 40 percent of that of sports industry, would price over 800 billion yuan, estimated by an expert in football industry.

The insider believed that Chinese football would become fully market-oriented in the future in response to the football reform policies in China, which could guarantee a significant increase in income.

He continued to say that a series of commercial activities including ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, shirts sales and football lottery would play an important part in making money. Even the fees paid by youths who go to football schools and transfer money paid by football clubs for the graduates would contribute to the estimated 800 billion yuan.

The huge potential of Chinese football industry draws several commercial giants to invest in this domain. For instance, Ma Yun, the Alibaba president, bought half shares of Guangzhou Evergrand FC. In terms of sponsorship, Nike replaced Adidas to establish partnership with Team China by providing 100 million yuan every year.

A domestic sports expert, Bao Mingxiao, expressed that the flow of capital into football industry would boost the development of football.

Source: Changjiang Times