Asia's sports business learns how to take a COVID-19 punch

Leagues fast-track digital plans, cut player salaries and prepare for 5G

AKANE OKUTSU, RURIKA IMAHASHI and CK TAN, Nikkei staff writers

July 24, 2020 04:19 JST

Updated on July 24, 2020 12:09 JST

TOKYO/SHANGHAI/NEW DELHI/SEOUL -- The Chinese Super League belatedly kicks off its soccer season on Saturday, becoming the latest Asian sports league to do so, albeit in empty stadiums and after a nearly five-month delay. It will also be without some foreign players and coaches who remain stuck abroad due to China's strict border control measures.