IMG re-enters China's football market with CSL deal

MUMBAI: CCTV-IMG, a joint venture between China?s state television network CCTV and IMG Worldwide, has entered into a 10-year partnership with the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) thereby marking IMG‘s comeback in China?s professional football market after a ten-year hiatus.

CCTV-IMG and the CSL will work jointly to bring global best practices to capitalise on the enormous popularity of football in China. This includes developing the CSL, helping improve management of Chinese football clubs, advising on development of world-class training programmes for young and future players, and bringing of corporate sponsors for CSL events.

The CSL has continued to grow with the national telecasts on CCTV of nearly 70 matches this year as well as the continuing arrival of some the world?s top footballers and managers. Through this new strategic partnership, CCTV-IMG will immediately launch a broad based marketing effort to bring new corporate partners to the CSL, including the title sponsorship of the league from 2014.

CCTV-IMG will also create training programmes for league and club management, interface with top international football entities, develop special football events and establish a high level global football forum in China.

Chinese Football Association Head Wei Di said, ?It is mutually beneficial and synergistic for CCTV-IMG and CSL to form this strategic partnership at this historic time in Chinese football. I am especially pleased that IMG is returning to Chinese football after a 10-year interval, and the Chinese Football Association (CFA) is happy to support this partnership to develop the CSL into a world-class league. I look forward to working with our partner to build Chinese professional football together.?

IMG Worldwide Chairman and CEO Michael Dolan said, ?We believe this partnership can be very powerful. As IMG is involved in all sports around the world, we know that football has become the one true international sport. Judging from the success of Chinese sports team in the Olympic Games, we believe that working together we can also develop world-class Chinese footballers and teams,? the IMG Chair continued. ?CCTV-IMG and the CSL, combined with the reforms implemented by Chairman Wei, truly sets the table for international development of football in China. I pledge that all of IMG?s worldwide expertise and resources will be available to support this strategic initiative.?

CCTV Sports MD and CCTV-IMG Chairman Jiang Heping said, "For CCTV, especially CCTV Sports, CSL is a valuable partner that provides important broadcasting content. CCTV is committed to our role in developing CSL in the long run, and CCTV Sports will invest more resources to support the CSL in the future. We view IMG?s return to football in China as a show of confidence in the CSL and the Chinese football market. Today is a new beginning; I wish our partnership great success."