(11 December 2006 – Hong Kong) – Li Ning Company Limited (“Li Ning” or the “Group”; stock code: 2331), one of the leading sports brand enterprises in the PRC, announced the signing of an agreement with the National Basketball Association (“NBA”) player, Chuck Hayes, forward of Houston Rockets, to wear LI-NING brand basketball shoes at NBA games. This is the third collaboration between Li Ning and renowned NBA players, following that of Damon Jones of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat.
Pursuant to the agreement, Hayes will put on LI-NING brand professional basketball footwear series, including the LI-NING-SHAQ co-brand series products to be launched in January 2007, to conquer NBA games and to bring Houston Rockets to new heights. Hayes is a power forward and is known amongst Chinese basketball lovers for his superb skills, strength and determination. Furthermore, he is widely regarded as an excellent rebounder. NBA experts consider him the "catalyst" for the fast emerging Houston Rockets.
Mr. Zhang Zhiyong, CEO of Li Ning, said, “The agreement with Hayes is a realization of our motto of “Anything is Possible”. More importantly, it also demonstrates to the world that the LI-NING brand is accelerating its pace in tapping into the international professional sports market. With the new collaboration with Hayes, Li Ning successfully established a strong trio in its NBA strategy that includes three of the strongest players in different positions - the power forward Chuck Hayes, one of the world’s most talented centre player Shaquille O’Neal and the guard Damon Jones who delivers surprises at critical times. This perfect trio represents the innovative ideas of the LI-NING brand on the allocation of international sports sales resources and illustrates the outstanding performance of the LI-NING brand amidst the highly competitive international sports market.”
About Li Ning Company Limited
Li Ning Company Limited (stock code: 2331) (the “Group”) is one of the leading sports brand enterprises in the PRC. It has its own branding, research and development, design, manufacturing, distribution and retail capabilities. The Group’s products include sports footwear, apparel and accessories for sport and leisure use which are primarily sold under its own LI-NING brand. The Group has established an extensive distribution and retail network in the PRC, of which distributors will manage the franchised LI-NING retail outlets under the Group’s supervision. The Group also directly manages its own LI-NING retail stores and concessions. In addition, the Group has set up a joint venture in the PRC with the French company, AIGLE International S.A. (“AIGLE”) in 2005 under which the joint venture enterprise has been given the exclusive right by AIGLE to manufacture, market, distribute and sell for 50 years in the PRC, outdoor sports products that bear the “AIGLE” trademark registered and owned by AIGLE International S.A.
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