Commercial War Raises Questions for American Sport in China :: Kenya

Senior US sports officials who are trying to expand their business in China said they were closely watching the situation as a trade war was brewing between the two superpowers.

American basketball, golf, American football and others have invested a lot of time and money in their presence in the Chinese market, but they are likely to be disrupted if relations are deteriorate further.

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US President Donald Trump has imposed a $ 250 billion tariff on Chinese products to pressure the country to end its unfair trade practices, causing terrible warnings of a new cold war.

Derek Chang, CEO of NBA China, said the impact of a protracted trade dispute was hard to predict, but he still hoped that the sport could serve as a bridge between the two countries.

"I think we hope it will not impact our business, but you will never know it," he told AFP during an interview. on stage at Sports Connects Sport-Business Conference in Dongguan, South China.

"That being said … I think sport really connects cultures, I think it's our goal, you can not really focus on things we can not control."

The world's favorite basketball league has accumulated a considerable number of visitors over the years in China and has generated an estimated $ 150 million in annual revenues thanks to its Chinese arm, valued at more than $ 4 billion.

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The US PGA Tour is also active in China and organized a subsidiary tour in 2014. This week, the organization announced the establishment of three academies at Mission Hills, the world's largest golf center and the only one in the world. host of Sports Connect.

Arjun Chowdri, Senior Director of Global Strategy and Strategy for PGA, said his organization is planning for the long-term China and expects it to weather the storm.

"I think the advantage we have is that we play this role in the long run, so a trade war, hopefully, if it happens, will not happen in 20 years," he said. he declared at the conference.

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"So we have the ability to go" OK, in the long run, what do we want (American sports) that the end result of our leagues and respective organizations become "(and) that determines the way to become one.

"We will certainly come up against obstacles on the road and many will not be controllable by us, but some will, but that's part of learning, pivoting and progressing."

Richard Young, chief executive of NFL China, said American football was "certainly attentive" to the developing conflict.

But he added: "If there is something that can replace that, it would be sport."