Question for our China fans: are these shoes big in China? Is this really a big deal over there? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/specials/preview/2007/10/17/francis.china.ap/ Historic Chinese shoe deal for Francis Posted: Wednesday October 17, 2007 4:18PM; Updated: Wednesday October 17, 2007 4:18PM HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis has signed an endorsement deal with Chinese shoemaker Anta, becoming the company's first international spokesman. Andy Mao, the company's vice president, says Francis may be wearing the shoes as early as Thursday night, when the Rockets play Dallas in an exhibition game. The shoes could be available in China by the end of the year, but may not be available in the United States for three or four years, Mao said. Francis signed with the Rockets as a free agent in July. He also played with Houston from 1999-2004. The Rockets have appeal in China because they drafted Yao Ming in 2002. Yao has a contract with Reebok.
A big deal.Lining,anta,peak are mainly shoemaker companies in China. Battier has signed an endorsement deal with PEAK,and O'neal is Lining's spokeman.Considering more and more young people like ROX.ANTA decided to sign an endorsement deal with with SF3.
I think Les is an investor in Anta. This is his way of paying Steve Francis under the table. There is an ongoing NBA investigation and the Rockets may lose a few 1st round picks as a result, just the Minny did with Joe Smith. (and if you can't tell, I am kidding).
when i was in china, people told me they like steve cause of his character and how he treated Yao..like a brother.
Couple photos from the press con. Hey, where's Pryuen? This is supposed to be his duty! http://sports.sohu.com/20071018/n252719607.shtml
Hmmm, they said LeBron has improved his jumper a lot this offseason, and Yao gets the license to pass at the high post... Which one of these is likely to happen this season: Yao's assists no. > LeBron's OR LeBron's FT% > Yao's
Oh...Im so sad to see this came true...I'll stop buying Stevie's shoes from mow on...but i still looooooooove Stevie and Rbk!!
