Abstract: Based on the data on Chinese enterprises which invested in overseas football clubs in 2014-2016, the present paper analyzes the characteristics, motivations and revelations of Chinese enterprises' investment in overseas football clubs, aiming to provide a reference for Chinese sports industry investment. The study suggests that Chinese enterprises' overseas investment has the following characteristics: the number of clubs in which Chinese enterprises have invested increases rapidly; European leagues are the main investment fields; the investment enterprises are mainly private ones; major investments targets include the Spanish La Liga, British Premier League and Italian Serie A clubs; M & A is the main investment mode currently. The investment motivations include government policies, economic consideration, football industry value and brand enhancement. Revelation and suggestions: overseas investment should target football industry and other quality sports resources; Improving the domestic football industry investment environment and guide overseas enterprises to invest in domestic market; overseas investment risks and opportunities coexist, therefore, Chinese enterprises need to invest rationally.

Key words: Chinese enterprises, overseas football clubs, sports industry, characteristics, motivation, investment