Source: REUTERS/VCG
[Saba Sports News] After it was recently revealed that South Korean badminton star An Se-young had been approached by the famous sports brand Yonex for a sponsorship deal, she has become a favorite target for sponsors. Recently, it was reported that a well-known Chinese sports brand is now competing with Yonex to sign An Se-young. The brand reportedly offered her a multi-year contract worth 2.5 million per year, totaling 10 million over four years — a huge sum. The reason Li-Ning wants to secure An Se-young is that she is currently one of the top female players in badminton. Since losing Lin Dan’s endorsement in 2015, Li-Ning’s influence in badminton has been declining. Losing the Chinese National Team sponsorship in 2021 further weakened its position. Now, the brand needs a top athlete like An Se-young to reinvigorate its presence in the badminton market. As a reigning champion, An Se-young is young, technically versatile, and has excellent results in major tournaments. Her commercial value is enormous. Signing her would be significant for Li-Ning to expand into global markets, especially in South Korea, and to rebuild its brand image.