Famous Athletes Seeking Chinese Endorsements

According to an article in the New York Times, several athletes were so impressed by the way they were treated in China during the Olympics, they have been fielding business deals in the country.

Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat

Gold medal athletes like Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers, and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, have met with representatives from Chinese companies with the aim of spreading their brands abroad. China has an estimated 1.3 billion people, which is a very sizable market.

Venus and Serena Williams

Tennis player Rafael Nadal of Spain, won the gold and the #1 spot in the men's tennis ranking. Well done.

China’s Promise Excites the Sports Stars

BEIJING — At times during the Olympics, athletes like Dwyane Wade and Serena Williams seemed to be working as hard off the court as on they were on the court.

Mr. Wade, a star player for the Miami Heat, and Ms. Williams, the tennis sensation, courted the Chinese media, chatted online with Chinese sports fans, and strategized with their agents about how to tap into the rising Chinese market.

http://www.nytimes.com