About NBA China

The NBA’s entity that conducts all of the league’s businesses in Greater China was formed in January 2008 after its first office opened in Hong Kong in 1992.  The NBA has interacted with Chinese basketball for decades, including first hosting the Chinese National team in 1985.  The NBA currently has relationships with a strong network of television and digital media outlets in China, including a partnership of 30 years with national broadcaster CCTV.  The league hosts hundreds of touring basketball events for fans, conducts community enrichment programs, and maintains marketing partnerships with a combination of world-class China-based corporations and U.S.-based multinationals. 

NBA China is headquartered in Beijing and also has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei.  NBA licensed products such as apparel and footwear are available through various retail networks and authorized online stores on e-commerce and social media platforms, including Tmall.com, JD.com, WeChat, NBAStore.cn, NBAStore.hk and NBAStore.tw.  In 2004, the NBA became the first American professional sports league to play games in China, with two games between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings in Shanghai and Beijing.  Following NBA Global Games China 2017, 14 NBA teams will have played 24 games in Greater China.  The NBA is the most-followed sports league in China, with more than 115 million social media followers. 

Program Overview

At NBA China, the Internship Program is not only an opportunity for us to identify future talents, but also a meaningful experience for these young talents to learn and grow here at an early stage. In this 8 Weeks (July 4 – August 31) summer program, interns will have the opportunity to participate in a series of events and activities that provide exposure to the varied facets of the NBA business.

At NBA China, the Internship Program is an 8-Week (July 4 – August 31) full-time program that enhances students’ work experience by bridging the gap between the academic environment and a future work environment. Interns learn the business of basketball off the court and behind-the-scenes of a global sports organization through direct exposure to NBA executives. Interns will contribute to our efforts to be the world’s most successful and respected sports league.

Intern placements are based on current business needs, as well as the candidate’s interest and relevant experience.  All positions are located at the NBA League offices in Beijing or Shanghai. Assignment areas may include: 

- Global Partnerships

The Global Partnerships Department develops and manages global marketing, merchandising and gaming partnerships with some of the most recognized companies in the world.  This department identifies potential partners, sells sponsorships and licensing deals, oversees joint marketing and promotional campaigns with partners, creates activation platforms tailored to each partner’s business goals, and manages NBA-branded retail and E-Commerce businesses

- Global Media Distribution

The Global Media Distribution Department manages relationships with the NBA’s television and digital media partners in China including CCTV, BesTV, Sina and Tencent. The group oversees the distribution of NBA games and programming content and also manages and operates NBA.com/china and all of the NBA’s social media assets in China. The group provides Chinese fans with comprehensive coverage of the league, including games, news, statistics, video highlights, exclusive behind-the-scenes access and more.

- Communications and Community Relations

The Communications and Community Relations Department is comprised of Communications and Social Responsibility teams. The Communications team is responsible for all business communications, developing and implementing strategic plans to promote the leagues’ marketing, merchandising, event and programming initiatives. The Community Relations team oversees all programs promoting the league’s community involvement and manages relationships with key charity organizations in China. 

- Events

The Events Department oversees all major NBA events hosted in China. This department provides entertaining and interactive event such as NBA Global Games and also executes the leagues’ grassroots promotional events, such as NBA Nation, NBA Madness, NBA 3X and the Basketball Without Borders.

- Human Resources

The Human Resources Department drives the NBA China’s workforce strategy, including recruiting, employee relations, compensation, and learning and development. Human Resources works to identify candidates that will help drive the league’s strategic direction and business goals, develops programs to aid in employees’ professional development, and implements policies and procedures designed to maintain an employee-friendly workplace.   

- Content Development

The Content Development Department manages television, film, Internet, publishing, photos, consumer products, marketing partnerships, media properties, and event relationships for NBA China.

- Basketball Operations

Basketball Operations oversees the creation and execution of all NBA China basketball development related initiatives from grassroots programs such as Jr. NBA to elite programs such as Basketball Without Borders and NBA Academies.  Basketball Operations also works closely with the Chinese Basketball Association as well as with provincial and municipal sports bureaus and basketball associations within China to promote the development and growth of the game in China.

- Branded Attractions

NBA China’s Branded Attractions department oversees the development, operation and licensing of NBA-themed leisure and entertainment venues throughout greater China and manages relationships with partners of NBA-themed venues including NBA-partner arenas. NBA Branded Attractions are designed to bring our game out of the arena and to our fans around the world and could include anything from a pop-up NBA experience to an NBA-themed bar and restaurant (such as the NBA Café in Manila or Barcelona) to NBA-themed rides or sections of major theme parks.  At present, NBA China Branded Attractions include a self-owned and operated NBA-themed children’s playground, NBA Playzone, located in Shanghai, and a large format fitness and lifestyle center, NBA Center opening outside of Beijing in 2017. 

- Youth Development

Youth Development is responsible for growing the game of basketball amongst the young generations of China. It focuses on developing Jr. NBA, the league’s youth basketball participation platform for boys and girls that teaches the fundamentals and values of the game at the grassroots level to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for all.

Professional Development

The Intern Program includes a robust curriculum of professional development activities, starting with a three-day orientation that helps the interns to acculturate to the organization and acclimate to their work environment. The program provides the interns with the opportunities to participate in programs, events and activities designed to broaden their knowledge of the business of the NBA China and the industry as a whole with exposure to the senior executives. They will also attend professional learning and development programs designed to help enhance their personal and career development.

One of the highlights of the program is the Intern Think Tank Project - an opportunity for the interns to work in groups on an NBA-specific business case under the guidance of an NBA project mentor, culminating in a final presentation to the host department and other NBA China executives across the business.

Candidate Requirements

To qualify for the Intern Program, students must be either (a) registered in a fulltime undergraduate college or university and at the 3rd year to graduate in 2019 OR (b) graduate students between their first and second year. Interns must be able to work full time hours, Monday through Friday, exactly from July 4 to August 31, 2018. All students must have a legal right to live and work in China, in good academic standing and have basic computer skills as well as acceptable written and verbal communication skills in both Chinese and English.

Working as an Intern

All interns should strictly abide by the NBA’s Code of Conduct, Legal Compliance Policy, as well as the policy of Intellectual Property & Confidentiality. Interns must be punctual for work and observe normal working hours.

Application of the Internship Program                                                                                             

Students who are interested in this Internship Program may apply through one of the following channels:

1.      NBA Career Website (NBA jobs-League jobs-Location Beijing or Shanghai-Intern） 

2.     Referral

3.     Campus recruitment when needed

The application process closes on Apr 20, 2018.

The Company reserves the right to refine, modify or cancel this program when it is necessary.