Sports Illustrated Selects Advanced Regent as the Greater China Publishing Partner
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), owners of the Sports Illustrated brand, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Advanced Regent for the operation of Sports Illustrated’s publishing business in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), to build on the mega-trend of sports, health, and wellness in China. As part of the deal, Advanced Regent will also operate certain Sports Illustrated events and experiences in the region.
China is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing markets for sports, health, and wellness, reaching 3.3 trillion yuan in 2022. Sports has continued to capture mind share and is an increasing source of national pride. Cultivating and expanding sports consumption is a national priority.
For 70 years, Sports Illustrated has powered the intersection of sports, lifestyle and entertainment, connecting athletes, stars and fans around the world through high-quality content, innovative digital experiences, exciting events and original products. With this partnership, Authentic Brands Group and Advanced Regent will bring Sports Illustrated's unique international perspective, exclusive content, and live events to China.
"As a leader in the field of sports media, the importance and influence of the Sports Illustrated brand cannot be underestimated." Frankie Chang, President of Advanced Regent Greater China, said, "As China continues to expand higher level of opening up, we are confident that we can bring the high-quality international content of Sports Illustrated, including world famous franchises such as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit（Chinese）, Sportsperson of the Year ( Chinese ), and Fashionable 50 ( Chinese ), into the vibrant Greater China market. We are excited about the future of this partnership and untapping the power of the SI brand in the region.”
With a focus on investment management in media and technology in the Greater China region, Advanced Regent's team is composed of enterprise builders and industry experts. They have grown some of the leading international media brands in the region, including Reuters Asia, Forbes China, and Xinhua Finance. L2 Capital, Advanced Regent’s founding partner, is a multi-strategy asset management firm across traditional and digital assets. The company's team is composed of experienced public and private investors and has deployed more than $7 billion across multiple economic cycles.
“As we continue to grow Sports Illustrated’s presence globally, we are thrilled to partner with Advanced Regent to deliver storytelling and iconic events to fans in Greater China,” said Leo Chu, Executive Vice President of APAC Entertainment at Authentic Brands Group. “This partnership brings together Sports Illustrated’s legacy of inspiring sports fans worldwide with Advanced Regent’s expertise in connecting global brands to China’s vibrant consumer market. Together, we’ll expand the Sports Illustrated footprint, leveraging Advanced Regent’s local knowledge and Sports Illustrated’s trusted, high-quality content to inspire sports enthusiasts across the region.”
About Sports Illustrated
For 70 years, Sports Illustrated (SI) has been recognized for shaping modern culture at the intersection of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. SI is a 360-degree platform that unites athletes, teams and fans worldwide through quality content, innovative digital experiences, unforgettable events, and original products. Its award-winning media arm brings powerful storytelling to life through probing profiles and up-to-date news on SI.com, across social media platforms, and through its renowned print magazine whose cover is widely regarded as the most coveted space in sports media. The most trusted name in sports transcends media through SI Tickets, a fan-first ticketing platform, SI Resorts, the ultimate destination for active lifestyles & sports enthusiasts, SI Studios, the brand’s home for film, TV, and long form podcasts, and more. SI brings its unique perspective to marquee events and captivating brand activations including “SI The Party”, Club SI, the Sportsperson of the Year Awards, SI Swimsuit Launch Weekend, and the SI Circuit Series.
For more information, visit SI.com.