In recent years, the total output value of the sporting goods
industry has increased by about 50 billion yuan a year and the
market share of fitness products is growing year on year. Some
sports products were branded after world champions, for example
world gymnastics champion Li Ning and world table tennis champion
Deng Yaping.
Since 1994, when soccer went over to a professionalized,
market-driven approach, it has attracted some 6 million spectators
every year, generating annual revenue close to 700 million yuan.
The seasonal average attendance for CBA professional basketball
games is 80 percent capacity. Volleyball, table tennis, badminton,
and baseball also provide plenty of match products. The sports
entertainment business plays a leading role in the sports industry,
stimulating the development of related industries, such as sports
sponsorship, TV relay, sports media, sports advertising, and the
sports lottery. A government economic forecast indicates that by
2010, the total value of China's sporting goods industry will
represent 1.5 percent of the GDP.
