Abstract: Objective: The governance of professional football in China from the perspective of the rule of law needs to introduce business law thinking and establish a good professional football governance order in accordance with the rules of business law. Professional football clubs are special companies that produce quasi-public competition products. The special regulations of the industry impose restrictions on their business act, name selection and market exit mechanism, which can obtain the basis of legitimacy through the interpretation of business customary law. There are two types of professional football leagues: company system and association system, both of which exist as business entities and have special business rules. Drawing lessons from the management rules and governance frameworks of football powerhouse, the reform and development of professional football in China can strive to build a responsible, honest, fair and efficient professional football business environment by following the general rules of business law, and taking into account the particularities of the football industry, so as to consolidate the foundation of professional football governance.

Key words: Chinese professional football, Chinese Professional Football League, professional football club, business law