Yao then went on to play for the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets.

Word about a possible sale of the Sharks has been swirling among industry insiders for months as the team slid into financial distress after its sponsor ended its contract with the team in March, two years ahead of schedule.

The Sharks went into drastic decline after Yao left to play in the US, ending its most recent season in second to last place among 18 teams, with a record of six wins and 43 losses.

The sponsor, Xiyang Group, a privately owned company based in northeastern China's Liaoning Province, ended its investment because it felt the team was "hopeless."

The company's exit pushed the Sharks into survival mode. The club will be dropped from the league if it fails to properly compensate its players.

The Sharks are struggling to pay player salaries after Xiyang quit, according to Sina. The team has to resolve the crisis before August to remain in compliance with league rules.

Meanwhile Yao's basketball future is in limbo. The All-Star suffered a hairline fracture of a bone in his left foot in a May 8 playoff game. He then underwent medical treatment in the US and came to Shanghai for traditional Chinese medicine, flying back to the US last month.

The Rockets said last week that the injury had not healed and may even end the 29-year-old's basketball career.

【体坛英语资讯：Yao may feed aid to toothless Sharks team】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Brazil does not need a number nine, says Dunga

★ 体坛英语资讯：Olympic torch relay concludes in Buenos Aires

★ 体坛英语资讯：Jazz, Spurs pull even with wins

★ 体坛英语资讯：From dark horse to freestyle favorite

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Pink and racer hubby Carey Hart split up

★ 体坛英语资讯：France visit Italy for revenge, England in peril

★ 体坛英语资讯：Wenger signals that Lehmann can leave for right offer

★ 体坛英语资讯：China wins womens team title at table tennis worlds

★ 体坛英语资讯：Adriano may sit out Sundays game

★ 体坛资讯：Yang wins all-around at Chinas gym championship