Women’s Basketball Steals the Spotlight? Yang Shuyu Outshines Yang Hanshen in Earning Power — While Guo Ailun Remains Men’s Top Draw

Yang Shuyu Steals the Spotlight: Women’s Basketball Surpasses Men’s in Commercial Power as Guo Ailun Leads the Pack for the Men

Recently, China released its list of the most commercially valuable active athletes — led by names like Zheng Qinwen and Ma Long. Surprisingly, despite basketball’s massive popularity in the country, only two basketball players made the list: women’s national star Yang Shuyu and men’s veteran Guo Ailun. Even more striking, neither ranked among the top tiers of commercial influence. Yang Shuyu was placed in the third tier, alongside table tennis champion Chen Meng and swimmer Pan Zhanle, while Guo Ailun landed in the fourth tier, grouped with track athlete Wu Yanni and diver Quan Hongchan. Notably, Yang Hanshen, the only current Chinese player in the NBA, did not appear on the list — signaling that Yang Shuyu’s market appeal has surpassed both Guo and Yang Hanshen.

Globally, football and basketball dominate in terms of fan base and visibility. In China, basketball undoubtedly holds the top spot among domestic leagues, boasting high salaries and immense fan engagement. However, when it comes to commercial influence, basketball players lag far behind athletes from sports like table tennis and tennis. The latest rankings made that gap crystal clear — with only two basketball players included, while stars from other disciplines took the spotlight.

As one of the brightest new faces in Chinese women’s basketball, Yang Shuyu’s rise has been nothing short of impressive. She’s a regular on the national team, representing China in the Olympics, the Asian Cup, and the Asian Games. Her strong court performance, combined with her charm and media-friendly presence, has earned her a massive following both on and off the court. It’s no surprise she made the list — though it’s intriguing that Li Meng, one of the highest-paid players in the women’s league, was absent.

On the men’s side, Guo Ailun’s placement in the fourth tier highlights both his enduring appeal and the challenges faced by Chinese men’s basketball. As one of the most recognizable figures since Yi Jianlian’s retirement, Guo remains the most commercially valuable male basketball player in the country. Despite stepping back from the limelight in recent years, his influence remains unmatched. Surprisingly, other high-profile players like Hu Mingxuan, Zhao Jiwei, and Zhang Zhenlin did not make the cut — a clear signal that basketball’s marketing reach is narrowing.

There are several reasons why most basketball players are missing from this commercial power list. First, China’s basketball performance has declined in recent years — with the men’s team struggling internationally and the women’s team losing momentum after their World Cup silver medal run. Second, the retirement of icons like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian has left a noticeable void. The current generation, including Zhou Qi, Yang Hanshen, and Hu Jinqiu, has yet to match that level of influence or star power. Lastly, young players like Yang Hanshen are still in the early stages of their careers. Despite joining the NBA, his recent performance has been inconsistent, and his commercial potential remains untapped. With more time and growth, he could earn his spot among China’s marketable stars. As for the women’s team, it’s somewhat surprising that Li Yueru and Han Xu didn’t make the list, given their proven dominance and success in international leagues.

In the end, this ranking reveals a shifting dynamic: women’s basketball is rising fast, both in performance and marketability, while men’s basketball faces the challenge of rebuilding its influence. For now, Yang Shuyu’s spotlight burns the brightest — symbolizing a new era for Chinese basketball.