Real Madrid Faces Commercial Backlash in China
··2 min read
Real Madrid is grappling with unexpected commercial repercussions in China following controversial remarks made by French star Kylian Mbappé about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The incident has led to a boycott wave, causing the club to lose three sponsors and suspending the broadcast of La Liga matches on Chinese television until further notice.
The controversy began when a video circulated showing Mbappé joking about a satirical image depicting him as Mao Zedong, referring to the latter as a “Chinese dictator.” This sparked outrage in China, leading to the suspension of broadcasts of La Liga matches on Chinese television and the termination of three sponsorship deals.
Both La Liga and Real Madrid have issued public apologies in an effort to mitigate the fallout. However, the apologies have not yet resolved the crisis, and there are concerns about the potential impact on Spanish football's commercial interests in one of its largest foreign markets.
This crisis is particularly significant for La Liga, which has made China a key component of its international expansion strategy. The league benefits from a large fan base in China, with Real Madrid and Barcelona being particularly popular. A source within La Liga confirmed to the French Press Agency that China and the United States together account for the majority of international television broadcast revenue, which reached 748 million euros during the 2024-2025 season. However, the specific financial contribution from the Chinese market was not disclosed.
La Liga has made efforts to cater to the Chinese market, adjusting match schedules since 2016 to align with Asian time zones, thereby expanding its viewer base and increasing the commercial value of broadcast rights outside Spain. In August, La Liga announced a new agreement with China Mobile's digital subsidiary, Migu, to broadcast 380 matches per season until 2030, aiming to enhance the presence of Spanish football in China and boost revenues from the Asian market.
Real Madrid also faces significant commercial challenges due to the controversy. The club has built substantial interests in China over the years, including official product sales and sponsorship deals with local companies.
