Online player moves into soccer sector

Sport8 invests $1.5 million into its business model, but is already pulling in sponsorship deals

Entrepreneur Bai Qiang is so confident that the business of soccer will be the next big trend that his company pumped 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) into an online venture.

Sport8 was launched last year and has already raked in 5 million yuan in sponsorship deals from international companies such as Italian sportswear group Kappa Kids and Gatorade Co Inc, the giant beverage firm in the United States.