Raymond reports that on Thursday in Shanghai, Yao’s Shanghai MAXXIS Sharks announced a deal with Li Ning where the Chinese company will design, produce and market jerseys, shoes, sneakers and other products for the team.

Below is some of the gear displayed at the news conference (click here for more photos):

The deal between the Sharks and Li Ning is interesting because China ANTA has an agreement with the China Basketball Association to supply ANTA jerseys and shoes for every CBA team. The Sharks will continue to wear ANTA gear on the court, but wear Li Ning off the court.

Li Ning will also work with the Sharks on several basketball-related projects in the greater Shanghai region, including:

– the construction of a Shanghai Li Ning basketball park;
– establishment of an exclusive Li Ning ~ Shanghai MAXXIS Sharks basketball training camp
– regular fan gatherings and other meaningful community activities

The deputy general manager for the Sharks said that ANTA and Reebok were considered as potential partners, but the Sharks chose Li Ning because of their additional emphasis on the Sharks’ junior team, as well as their long-term vision for basketball development in the Shanghai region.

For more photos and information on the deal, click here.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 4:36 pm and is filed under Business, China. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.