The Sports Business Journal’featured an interesting article on Top Rank’s attempts to make inroads in China.
The article (subscription recommended) focuses on the boxing promotion’s efforts to gain momentum into China which is described as the world’s fastest-growing economy. While Manny Pacquiao will make his second appearance in Macau later this year, it takes a glimpse of how the promotion is trying to build an audience with a Chinese audience.
Notably, Top Rank, in partnership with a Chinese sports marketing firm, debuted a weekly tv show on 10 regional sports channels within the country giving it wide distribution in the country. “Fists of Power,” which features fights from the Top Rank library and live events promoted by the company acts as a promotional tool for the company.
Top Rank held its first event this past August in mainland China. Although not big, and perhaps just breaking even on its endeavor, the long-term goal is to become a mainstay in the country. The event was aired live and on delay on state-sponsored channels which has the potential to reach more than 1 billion households.
Payout Perspective:
Expansion internationally seems like the most logical step for promotions such as the UFC and Top Rank. The obvious reason is the opening of a new audience. The relative strength of its economy and the sheer size of the population make China a great growth opportunity. Top Rank follows the same playbook as the UFC does with its TUF series. Allow people to see its product on television for free hoping that it entices them to patronize the promotion. Despite Manny Pacquiao’s decline in popularity stateside, Top Rank hopes his appearances in Macau open up the Chinese market. From there, it hopes that the proliferation of local talent (e.g. former Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming) will propel the promotion in the country.
tops E says
Good for top rank in china….
tops E says
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/10/11/6961569/ufc-rampage-jackson-believes-ufc-lied-about-fight-purse-propaganda-mma-news good article
saldathief says
Ha nice article but I will say that RJ probably has no fucking clue as to how much he made. Dana on the other hand probably factored in all kinds of bullshit into that figure, along with every cup of coffee or glass of water RJ drank while in the UFC office. Both are fucking morons and who’s fault is it that RJ has a bunch of kids?
anti trolls says
You too should get married.
d says
HAHAHA!! Yeah, the y really hit it off with that major flop of a fight in Macau. I’m sure they will continue their dominance in China. HAHAHAHA!! Sal has a hard on for East Asians. What a fag!!!!
saldathief says
Bahahah you mean that horrible show that did half a million ppv buys? funny the boxing low lis the ufc high bahahahahaha Boxing doubles UFC in 14!! suck on that D! time is running out bahahahaha D was abused by homosexuals, hence the hatred for Gays not funny but truly sad!
d says
Yeah, that horrible show that did under a half a million buys with boxing’s number 2 star where they lost millions. That’s the one.
Sal’s diapers really need a changing, the shit is running all over the place. HAHAHA!!