NBA's Heidi Ueberroth Discusses Expansion Efforts In China, India
 |
Ueberroth Says There Is Continued
Growth In Popularity Of Sports In China |
NBA President of Global Marketing Partnerships & Int'l Business Operations Heidi Ueberroth said the "construction and progress on the buildings are moving very quickly" for the league's arena projects in China, according to Joseph De Avila as part of the WALL STREET JOURNAL's Long Toss feature. Ueberroth said Beijing's Wukesong Indoor Stadium, which hosted basketball games during the Summer Olympics, will be "re-opening in October," and a Shanghai arena "will be open for the World Expo in May 2010." Also, a Guangzhou arena is "looking to be opened in 2010." Ueberroth: "The demand and interest from other cities is also very high. I can't yet report on the other cities." When asked if the NBA would still have proceeded with the projects "knowing that a tougher economic environment was coming," Ueberroth said, "What you see in China is a continued growth in the popularity and interest in leisure and sports. The demand is continuing to increase for other cities looking to have multi-purpose NBA-style arenas as an anchor to their communities." Meanwhile, Ueberroth said plans for growth in India are "in the early stages," and she "would not compare it to China." Ueberroth: "You can contrast the differences more than compare them, with the exception of perhaps two things. One, a growing economy and interest in leisure activities, including sports activities, and (two), an increasing growth in the popularity of the game. Right now in India, basketball is one of the fastest growing sports." Ueberroth added the NBA in India is "starting to do more customized programming and more lifestyle-based programming as a natural next step." Ueberroth noted the league is "deep into discussions now for a localized Web site so one would be able to have both English- and Hindi-language content customized for India." Meanwhile, Ueberroth said the NBA this year has "opened several new offices in Europe." Ueberroth: "We are seeing continued interest, and if you look at, for example, a market like Spain, we've seen it in every measure of our business -- not just within our own sites, but also with syndicated content, more mall-tour-like grassroots events, and increased marketing partnerships" (WSJ.com, 5/6).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
NBPA Says Total Player Compensation Down
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBA Hires Mutombo As Global Ambassador
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nets To N.Y. Not Necessity For Prokhorov
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
LeBron Says He May Switch To No. 6 Jersey
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBA Digital Launches NBA TV Companion
November 12, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Ticket Package Offered For Flyers, 76ers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBPA Says Total Player Compensation Down
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Magic Johnson, Cisco Team For Initiative
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nets Finding Unique Ways To Draw Fans
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Grizzlies Optimistic Despite AI Departure
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
