Zug, Switzerland / Beijing, China , 13 February 2006 — Infront Sports & Media's wholly owned subsidiary, Infront Asia, has been appointed by the China Basketball Association (CBA) as the exclusive global marketing partner for the country's national basketball teams until the end of 2008. Both parties announced today in Beijing an exclusive agreement covering all major aspects of the marketing and technical development of the Chinese men's, women's and youth national teams.
 
Infront will market all commercial opportunities, including sponsoring, television, new media and image rights. Furthermore, the agreement includes the implementation of a comprehensive technical development plan for the teams. This technical plan was jointly designed by the CBA and Infront. It comprises recruitment of foreign coaching staff, nutritionists, scouts, psychologists, and other fitness training experts, as well as arrangement of qualified opponents for friendly matches according to the requirements of the CBA. To achieve the optimal results for the CBA, Infront will utilise an extensive network taking advantage of top international basketball experts and institutions, including FIBA, the world's governing body for the sport.
 
"We are excited with the Infront partnership for Team China. Infront has a highly experienced team in China that we have worked closely with on the marketing of the Chinese Basketball League. The extension of this partnership to now cover the national teams is an ideal solution for the sport's development. That being said, Infront had to prove itself amongst a highly competitive tender process to represent the national team. Their success has proven that they are an extremely committed organisation that knows how to win — the same attitude we want for Team China," commented Mr. Li Yuanwei, the Executive Vice-President of the CBA.
 
"Infront is very much looking forward to its second exciting cooperation with the CBA and the unique opportunity to market and develop the Chinese National basketball teams. We are confident that our long-term concept will take Chinese basketball to the next level of professionalism and performance," said Oscar Frei, CEO of Infront.
 
Paul Wong, the General Manger of Infront's Beijing office added, "With both properties under one roof, Infront and the CBA can work closely to improve the performance and marketing potential of both the national team and the professional league. This is a great opportunity since most national team players also play in the CBA or WCBA league. With the ever increasing popularity of the sport and the great potential that Chinese basketball has, Infront is looking forward to position Chinese basketball as one of the main attractions for the upcoming global 2008 Olympics.
 
"Basketball already is the most popular sports in China. Its men's and women's national teams are amongst the best in the world and the sport has the support of millions of loyal fans. Currently, China's men's and women's teams rank 14th and 9th in FIBA world ranking. The superstar of the Chinese men's team is Yao Ming (25). He is currently playing in centre position for the NBA's Houston Rockets and is the tallest player in NBA basketball (2.26 m). In the worldwide fan ballot for the 55th NBA All-Star Game Yao Ming edged ahead of Kobe Bryant as the top vote receiver.
 
For further information, please contact:
Jörg Polzer
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
info@infrontsports.com
 
Paul Wong
General Manager
Beijing Infront Sports Consulting Co., Ltd.
Tel. +86-10-8458 4698
Fax +86-10-8458 4523
paul.wong@infrontsports.com