Yao secures deal with Sharks

Injured Chinese NBA all-star Yao Ming is assured of becoming the new boss of his home Chinese Basketball Association team after all shareholders agreed to sell their stakes to him, according to an agreement reached yesterday.

In arguably the highest profile deal in CBA history, a team representing the Rockets center signed with the Shanghai Sharks club in the city late yesterday, paving the way for Yao to fully acquire the team he represented for five years before moving to the NBA in 2002.

Yao, who is in the US nursing his injured left foot, said his affection for his home team and city is behind the agreement and that he felt grateful to have an opportunity to give back.