Clarks Sponsors League of Legends Pro League Team LNG

The British footwear brand Clarks has entered into a strategic partnership with the Chinese esports organization LNG, which competes in the League of Legends Pro League. While the specific financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the deal grants Clarks branding placement on the left shoulder of the team’s official jerseys. Notably, the players will not be required to wear Clarks-branded footwear during competitive matches.

This partnership is underpinned by shared ownership interests, as both LNG and Clarks are affiliated with the Li-Ning Group. In July 2022, the China Viva Group—a firm controlled by Li-Ning founder Li Ning and his nephew Li Qilin—acquired a controlling stake in Clarks. Recent financial disclosures from the China Viva Group highlight the significance of this acquisition, reporting that Clarks generated 2.6 billion HKD (approximately $332 million USD) in revenue during the first quarter of 2023, representing a 684.6% year-over-year increase and accounting for 86% of the parent company's total revenue.

The agreement operates within the broader landscape of the League of Legends Pro League, where Li-Ning currently holds a four-year exclusive apparel sponsorship. The collaboration between Clarks and LNG is structured to function independently of existing commercial arrangements between the league, Li-Ning, and the LNG organization. This move reflects a growing trend of cross-industry brand integration within the Chinese esports market, leveraging existing corporate portfolios to enhance visibility in the competitive gaming sector.