Yao Ming is out for the entire 2009-10 season, but he's finding satisfaction as owner of his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks.

Yao bought out the financially troubled team's former owners in July for an undisclosed sum in a bid to revive its fortunes.

The club is in fourth in the 17-team Chinese league, two points out of first place.

?I bought the Sharks to give them a boost and do something on behalf of Chinese basketball,? Yao said in an interview with the official Xinhua News Agency appearing in newspapers Thursday.

?To be honest, they've played well this season, beyond my expectations, but we also see their deficiencies and need to toughen up in the coming seasons.?