Damon Jones endorses the next big thing: Li-Ning

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2286622

CLEVELAND -- Damon Jones doesn't know much about China or the country's emergence as an economic superpower.

"I know one thing, though," the Cavaliers guard said. "I'm global."

Jones became the first NBA player to sign an endorsement contract Monday with Li-Ning, the largest China-based sports apparel maker, which one day hopes to challenge athletic shoe giants Nike and adidas.

Li-Ning, which signed a marketing agreement with the NBA last year, will begin selling shoes endorsed by Jones in its 2,500 stores in every province of China. The company has no immediate plans to sell the shoes, which retail for around $45 in China, in the U.S.

However, with Jones on board, Li-Ning hopes to tap into pro basketball's growing popularity in China and add more NBA players to promote its products.

The outgoing Jones, whose bubbly personality makes him a natural salesman, is excited about the opportunity to grow with Li-Ning, which was founded in 1990 by former Chinese star gymnast, Li Ning.

He wore the Li-Ning shoes, whose design includes Oriental themes, for the first time in a game in November, and said he has gotten positive feedback on the look from both Cleveland teammates and opponents.

"It's a great shoe," said Jones, who'll visit China for the first time this summer. "I'm looking forward to going there. I've talked to LeBron [James], and he said it's an amazing place."

Li-Ning has launched an ad campaign in China for the shoes, using the slogan "Anything Is Possible." Jones didn't miss a chance to use it during a news conference at the Ritz-Carlton.

Asked if he could outsell James, who endorses Nike, in China, Jones smiled and said, "Anything is possible" in Chinese.

Later, Jones revealed that he had the expression written phonetically on the back of his name placard on the dais.

"I didn't need it," he said. "I've been practicing for six days."

Read the bold It's gonna be good for China's economy if this really does hit off, but I don't know about challenging Nike and adidas, especially in North America.

yea i went back to china this recent summer and came back with loads of cba stuff, but not shoes though i felt like Li Ning clothing are top notch, but their shoe designs need a little work... though i got some nice official CBA shoes

I thought Li Ning was another 7'7" center...

I thought Li Ning was another 7'7" center...

Me too!

I'd love to see a pic of the shoe.

edit: I stopped being lazy and went to look it up. See for yourself...

http://english.li-ning.com.cn/

imho, to go far, they'll need yao to wear their shoes i think, or someone with a bigger name than damon jones. their slogan is also kinda too similar to adidas. their logo is also kinda similar to brooks also.

whats brooks? cause i remeber li ning was formed in the 80's

http://www.intersport.fi/channels/defau ... go_150.gif (dunno how to post images)
if li ning was formed in the 80s, possibly li ning came first then.

EDIT: brooks was formed in 1914. originally made bathing shoes, then switched to running shoes in 1920.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Sports,_Inc.

EDIT #2: Damnit, you beat me to it by a minute.

Last edited by Abctest123 on Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:21 am, edited 2 times in total.

hm.. well i did a little search and brooks was founded in 1917 and produced bathing shoes before being endorsed by dan marino in 1984....


li ning was founded by Mr. Li Ning after he retired from the chinese gymnastics team in 1988, it was founed in 1990...

there is also another asian athletic wear logo that looks almost exactly like Li Ning's and Brooks, i dont remember what it is called, but that company is the producer for jerseys in the CBA..

to challenge athletic shoe giants Nike and adidas? Hell no.
It may be a big thing in China, but I'm in Hong Kong SAR and no one is selling/buying/wanting it right here

Their slogan is "Anything is possible"? Where have I heard that before...

It could've been really good if it werent for those annoying organic elements on the strap.

Probably a cheap version of the "laser."

Their slogan is "Anything is possible"? Where have I heard that before...

even "Everything Is Possible" would have been a better version IMO
They're just too lazy

I'd prefer "Nothing is Possible."