Chinese Brands Cut Ties With Kylian Mbappe
Chinese brands have cut ties with French soccer star Kylian Mbappe over remarks about Mao Zedong. State television has also halted broadcasts of his matches amid widespread backlash.
Insights:
Several China-based brands severed ties with France soccer captain Kylian Mbappe on Monday over an online video showing him making remarks about Mao Zedong. The backlash highlights the rapid commercial fallout international athletes face in key consumer markets following perceived slights. State-backed media outlets condemned the comments, while local sponsors moved immediately to cancel endorsement contracts.
