There have been numerous research studies and discussions of performancerelated pay (PRP) in the human resource management literature, but very little research on PRP has included samples from non-Western societies. Moreover, few have studied PRP in the sport sector. The present study supports an expectancy model framework for PRP for professional athletes in China. The findings indicate the importance of the valence for monetary incentives, the instrumentality of performance for these incentives and clear individual and group objectives for improving performance. Comparisons for individual versus team and for females versus males yield important differences in the perception of the components of PRP programmes.