Han's WNBA debut generated over 7 million total video views on social media platforms in ChinaMIKE LAWRENCE SPORTS
WNBA N.Y. Liberty rookie C Han Xu is being described as a "Yao-like figure for women’s basketball in China," and cultivating a "recognizable star from basketball’s largest market outside the United States could open up new business opportunities for the WNBA as it continually seeks more exposure," according to Seth Berkman of the N.Y. TIMES. During Han's Liberty debut last week in an exhibition against the Chinese national team at Barclays Center, the arena scoreboard "repeatedly played ads for Han T-shirts for sale on the concourse" and several large Chinese flags "were displayed in the stands." Alibaba's online payment platform Alipay was a "notable sponsor" at the game. Han said, "I feel some pressure. I represent the whole of China." In '16, the NBA opened three academies in China; Han is the "first prospect from seven worldwide academies, male or female, to be drafted into the WNBA or the NBA." NBA Dir of Int'l Basketball Operations & Elite Basketball Chris Ebersole said, "It’s no accident China was the first place we went. It’s a priority market for us as a league. She’s going to be big" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/11).
GLOBAL PLATFORM: Han's WNBA debut generated 1.2 million viewers across Tencent, Youku, Migu and Xigua, and another 6.3 million total video views on social media platforms in China, including behind-the-scenes coverage of the game and an interview with Liberty Owner Joe Tsai (WNBA). Tsai said the WNBA is "playing at the highest-caliber level worldwide," and has "some of the best players in the world." He said it is "good to have this exchange to have a Chinese basketball (player) come over here and experience the rigor" of the league. Tsai: "Then they can take that experience back to their teams and hopefully contribute to the Chinese basketball scene" (ESPN.com, 5/9).
