Talking Balls: Cash, Hammers and Hash

According to the Beijing Times, Nike has agreed a deal which will see the sportswear giants plough USD 15 million into the Chinese Super League for the 2009 season. Twelve league teams will each get USD 732, 000 in equipment and a USD 220, 000 in cash. The remainder goes to the league. A 15% increase per year will eventually supply apparel to all 16 teams and would lead to a USD 30 million investment for the 2018 season. Holy cash cow!

The CSL kicks off on Mar 21 but fixtures have yet to be decided. Beijing Guoan will be hosting Australia’s Newcastle Jets on March 10 in the AFC Champions League at the Workers Stadium. Ticket details to come. In other football news, the deal for the Bird’s Nest to host the Italian Super Cup was finalized this week. Expect the Coppa Italia winners to be joining the champions elect Inter Milan in August. Also, reports suggest that Chelsea, Hull City and West Ham will battle out for the Premier League Asia trophy in July and August - good news for those who like to see shameless marketing masked as meaningless pre-season tournaments. This deal with the Premier League might jeopardize Guoan’s own attempts to play Manchester United this summer.

Gluttonous fish-man turned bong-loving frat boy Michael Phelps has had to apologize to his Chinese fans. Sorry, he has apologized to his Chinese fans and lucky for him Mazda still see him as a good advertising tool and will continue with the seven-figure deal signed last month. At least the munchies might explain his extraordinary diet.

And finally, Badminton fans can rejoice now that plans are afoot to restart the Badminton Club Super League. That seven-year hiatus will soon be but a memory. Hooray.