Chinese Wanda Group Announced as New FIFA Partner

Following the acquisition of Infront Sports & Media and World Triathlon Corporation last year (cf. EAP News from September 22, 2015), Dalian Wanda Group has made another major step within the global sports industry. Last week, the China-based conglomerate signed an agreement with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which makes Wanda the world football association's first Chinese sponsor partner. Within the next 15 years, Wanda will benefit from exclusive sponsorship rights to all FIFA competitions and events, including the next four World Cups. By cooperating with the association, Wanda also intends to enhance its international brand positioning and generate more market opportunities. Furthermore, the company, supported by FIFA, plans to contribute to the development of Chinese football, especially by promoting children's football.

“We are highly motivated to promote football across the country and to inspire a new generation of youngsters. The Chinese Government is committed to this development and as a company we strongly support these efforts. In order to professionally grow the existing grassroots movement into a sustainable and well-managed sport, we are delighted to tap into the vast experience of the most competent advisor – FIFA. We believe in football as one of the most attractive sports globally and have the highest trust in FIFA and its newly established organisational structure under the lead of President Gianni Infantino,” says Wang Jianlin, Chairman of the Wanda Group. (eap)