Current Status and Strategic Evolution of Grassroots Basketball Events in China: A Dual-Case Examination of Village BA and Lurenwang

Abstract

In recent years, grassroots basketball Events have experienced unprecedented expansion, emerging as a critical driving force for national fitness initiatives and rural revitalization in China. However, systematic academic inquiries into their operational paradigms and sustainable development remain insufficient. To bridge this gap, this paper aims to address two primary research questions: What are the core developmental characteristics of contemporary Chinese grassroots basketball events, and what are the underlying constraints and strategic pathways for their sustainable evolution? Employing a comparative case study approach, this research strategically selects Village BA and Lurenwang as core analytical subjects to contrast two divergent paradigms: the rural, team-based, and public-welfare-oriented model versus the urban, individual-centric, and highly commercialized model. Through this comparative analysis, the study examines the current developmental status across four dimensions: tournament types and spatial distribution, demographic characteristics of participants, organizational and operational models and multidimensional societal impacts. Furthermore, the research identifies the core factors influencing this development, which encompass policy support and institutional guidance, regional economic levels, distinct cultural characteristics, infrastructure conditions, and media dissemination factors. In response to current challenges—namely, non-standardized organizational management, funding shortages coupled with inadequate commercialization, deficient protection of players' rights and a scarcity of professional personnel—this study proposes targeted strategic pathways, including strengthening standardized management frameworks, diversifying funding channels, enhance commercial viability, improving welfare mechanisms, strengthening the cultivation of professional talents and promoting the deep integration of events and cultural tourism. Ultimately, this research provides a comprehensive analytical framework for understanding the grassroots sports for rural revitalization.