Yao Ming is 24 Hour Fitness' Point Man in China

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide has signed a deal with NBA all-star Yao Ming to open its first health club in mainland China.The gym, which will be called California Fitness: Yao Ming SportClub, is set to open in August. California Fitness operates 24 locations across Asia, and is a wholly owned unit of 24 Hour Fitness. As part of the multiyear joint venture, Yao will be an equity partner and play an active role in the creation, development and operation of multiple clubs. He will appear in advertising and make promotional appearances on behalf of the club throughout China. Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed.The 40,000 square foot club will be located in The Place on the west side of Beijing’s Central Business District. 24 Hour Fitness has 350 clubs in 14 U.S. states as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.Other stars who have partnered with 24 Hour Fitness to create signature sport clubs include Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Jackie Chan.“We’ve had success in Asia already and felt the time was right to move into mainland China with the growing interest in health and fitness,” Mark Mastrov, chairman at 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, San Ramon, Calif., said in a statement. “And what better partner to do it with than Yao Ming? He is an exceptional athlete.”