IMG Worldwide Sees U.S. Sponsorship Potential for CSL

IMG Worldwide, which has a marketing agreement with the Chinese Super League (CSL), has started setting up meetings with possible U.S. corporate sponsors.

IMG China President and CEO, Adam Zhu, said: “We’ve just begun the process, but there’s a tremendous interest from companies in the U.S.”

Zhu said meetings to discuss possible sponsorships have been held with major consumer product companies and that IMG is planning a promotional tour for the league.

Zhu did not say which companies had participated in talks.

IMG’s recent agreement to work with the CSL again follows a crackdown on corruption in the sport that was launched in 2009 by a government committee.

Zhu said: “We’ve done tremendous due diligence politically, financially and people wise. We’re going to help improve the system.”

IMG is trying to find ways for the CSL to boost revenue through online media and has met EPL CEO, Richard Scudamore, to discuss the league’s development.{jcomments on}