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Multiple Choice

Ichiro was purchased by

Real Madrid had great players, but that’s not enough in today’s world. It needed someone who could bring sponsors to their stadium. It needed someone who could charm and entertain the spectators with his skills on the field. It needed David Beckham and didn’t hesitate to pay a huge price for him. Real Madrid’s revenues from club merchandise (Shirts, Caps et al) jumped 67 per cent in Beckham’s first season alone. Suddenly, Real Madrid started earning more from ticket sales, television deals and other promotional activities. Its overall commercial income, which includes money deals from sponsors like Adidas, Pepsi et al now stands at pounds 80 million a year. When Beckham was with Manchester United, it was the richest club; today it’s Real Madrid. This is the “Beckham Effect” and marketers & merchandisers are loving it.

Yao Ming, the very popular Chinese basketball player, was purchased by an American basketball club. The reason? They had no reach or influence in the Asian market and Ming could help them get it, for soon after Ming’s transfer to NBA (National Basketball Association of America) opened merchandise stores all over Asia. Looking at NBA’s success, Seattle Mariners purchased Japanese National Baseball player Ichiro. Tourist flow from Japan has significantly increased to Seattle since then. Not to mention the fact that Ichiro merchandise happens to be one of the top selling merchandise in the league.
  1. NBA
  2. Real Madrid
  3. Manchester united
  4. Seattle Mariners
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