For all the Yao Ming fans out there in Clutchland: The Shoe wars have begun

Rockets' Season May Be Over, But Yao's Game Has Just Begun



Yao Ming Subject Of Bidding
War Between Sneaker Companies

With Rockets C Yao Ming's endorsement deal with Nike expiring this month, rivals adidas and Reebok "are looking to snatch him up," according to Michael McCarthy of USA TODAY. Yao "received an estimated $200,000 for his first four-year deal" with Nike, which he signed while he was still playing in China. Yao's reps are now "looking for a multimillion-dollar, multi-year deal." Nike "still has the edge" in signing Yao, as the current pact "has a 'right to match' clause, and Nike can promise the biggest ad clout." But adidas Dir of Grassroots Basketball Sonny Vaccaro said that his company "will bid aggressively" for Yao. But Vaccaro noted LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are about to sign their own shoe deals, and added, "Whether the guy is national, international or interplanetary, there's just so much money. Somebody is paying the bills." Reebok VP/Sports & Entertainment Marketing John Lynch said that with Yao, Reebok likes the "opportunity to grow in Asia and China." Burns Sports President Bob Williams said that Yao's popularity in China is "where his true value lies. There are so many companies that want to penetrate the Chinese market or capture more market share." But Williams added, "Yao has not demonstrated an ability to move product. So companies will have to look at his potential and take a chance" (USA TODAY, 5/1).

 

I thought it would appeal to those Yao-only fans that cram this board (I have no problem with them either). But I guess they have left and all gone back to China now that the Rock's season is over and there will be no more "Ming mania" until October. Now I know not to post any Yao-type stuff anymore because it will be just a waste of space.

 

Hey, I just call it like I see it, pal. I posted info on Yao for Yao's fans and no one came. I dont want to waste space. And I have no problem with Yao-only fans as I have said before because Yao's fans are technicaly Rocket fans too.

 

You have a good point there. I see your a true Roctet fan. It just seemed like at some points during the season, this board had a number of so-called "Yao-only-fans." I never knew the exact percentile of Yao Ming fans on this board and never really cared about that either. I just figured this article would probably tickle there fancy, so-to-speak.