CHINA CURRENTS
COURTING CANTON
World’s Largest NBA Store Opens in Guangzhou By Ryan Gandolfo
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pend a day walking the streets of Guangzhou, and you’ll see Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Brian Scalabrine jerseys worn with pride. (Okay, maybe a few less Scalabrine jerseys.) It’s part of the big basketball culture in Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) that’s led to a growing number of NBA fans in the region. And now, there’s a brand new store that gives fans the ultimate NBA experience – aside from going to a game, of course. Last month, the NBA’s largest flagship store in the world opened in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu district. The store was launched in partnership with the NBA, Top Sports and Nike. The store celebrated its opening ceremony with speeches from Wayne Chang, NBA China’s chief financial officer, as well as a recorded video message from former NBA all-star and current CBA coach Stephon Marbury, currently working in Beijing. “NBA Guangzhou Flagship Store will definitely be the ideal place for every fan to buy all the NBA products they want, a variety of NBA series and commemorative merchandise,” said Marbury, who mentioned he plans on visiting Canton to check out the store.
An autographed Marbury Timberwolves jersey will be on display in the store, along with memorabilia from several other NBA all-stars and Hall of Famers. The three-story venue covers 2,680 square meters and is split into different sections, including athletic wear on the first floor, a museum-like collection of NBA memorabilia (worth a visit) and customized apparel and gifts on the third floor. In addition to selling NBA-related products, the shop has plans to give NBA fans a better overall experience with VR basketball activities and a massive 5-meter screen for fans to catch NBA games in the upcoming season. While we can’t confirm anything, the shop opening could be a good sign for an NBA game in Guangzhou in the near future... For more China news, scan the QR code below:
WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | 7
