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Tuesday 17 sepTember 2019

Fans of

NBA could

feel impact

of China

trade wars

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — That
LeBron James jersey could
get a little more expensive.
Companies that make
clothing and shoes for the
National Basketball Asso-
ciation players are in the
crosshairs of President Don-
ald Trump's escalating Chi-
na trade wars.
So, the question is, will
American fans of sports
stars like Los Angeles Lak-
ers' James be willing to pay
higher prices for the gear?
The stakes are high as U.S.
sales from sports licensed
merchandise including
NBA items rang up $21 bil-
lion last year, according
to Licensing International,
a trade group. Sales on
NBAStore.com rose 15%
during the 12-month period
through August, according
to the league. And many
of the sports brands rang-
ing from Adidas to Puma
rely on China for at least
some of their sourcing.
Moreover, experts worry
China could impose penal-
ties on Western brands who
sell there at a time when
business in that country is
exploding. Some also be-
lieve U.S. fans might turn to
counterfeit merchandise
if they don't want to pay
higher prices.
“When you raise prices
on legitimate goods, you
encourage the produc-
tion of illegitimate goods,”
said Steve Lamar, execu-
tive vice president of The
American Apparel and
Footwear Association, a Braun's grand slam lifts Brewers past Cardinals 7-6
trade group. “We’re defi-
nitely seeing pressure on
brands. We’re just waiting St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader is unable to catch a double by Milwaukee Brewers' Tyler Austin during the fifth inning
for the other basketball of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in St. Louis.
shoe to drop.” Associated Press
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