Infront China Promote Ma Guoli to Chairman

April 8, 2013

Infront Sports & Media have promoted Infront China’s CEO and Managing Director, Ma Guoli, to Chairman of the Infront China Board of Directors.

Ma Guoli will step down from his current position and take up his new role on 1 January 2014.

Philippe Blatter, Infront’s President & CEO, said: “Under Ma Guoli’s tenure Infront China has become an important growth engine for our Group. He has fostered considerable development and increasing commercial appeal of Infront’s properties, including key events such as the annual CBA All-Star Game and the CBA League Finals.

“We very much welcome that he continues to contribute his outstanding experience, leadership skills and reputation at Board level.

“This ensures continuity of experience and maintains Infront’s excellent relationships with our key partners and stakeholders across Asia.”

Ma Guoli himself added: “Following an important and successful phase of development and further expansion of Infront China since 2009 and after more than 25 fulfilling years in operational business, I am now greatly looking forward and proud to take on my new role as Chairman of the Infront China Board, focusing on the company’s long-term strategic development and the further enhancement of its network in the region.

“I am convinced that Infront with its strong international team will remain the leading force in Chinese sports business.”

Under Ma Guoli’s leadership, in the past five years Infront has extended commercial partnerships with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to represent the country’s top sport at national and league level until 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Ma Guoli is known for his role as founder of the CCTV-5, the first sports television channel in China.