ESPN enquire about KBO broadcast rights, possible wage cuts in K League
- 4 years ago
미 ESPN, 코로나19로 메이저리그 무기한 중단 KBO에 중계권 요청 문의
The lack of sports action across the world could open the door for South Korea's professional baseball league to tap into the North American market...that is if the new season can begin in May.
Our Sports editor, Paul Neat, is in the studio again this week.
Paul, there have been some interesting developments with the KBO, what can you tell us about that?
That's right, U.S. broadcast company, ESPN, has been in contact with KBO about the possibility of obtaining broadcast rights in North America. ESPN is trying to fill vacant time slots and has asked MLB for help in contacting KBO. But, any deal will hinge on whether the new baseball season can start in May.
What has KBO said about the possibility of matches being aired in the U.S.?
On Thursday KBO Communications Director, Lee Jin-hyung , confirmed ESPN's approach and said that they are still working on the details. Another representative said that if the season can begin in early May then the chances of signing a contract with ESPN are quite high.
Interestingly, Tyler Wilson, an American pitcher currently with LG Twins, is all for the prospect of matches being aired in North America...believes that the standard of play in KBO is high and that American fans will enjoy watching.
Interesting.
Opening Korean baseball up to the North American market can only be good for the future of the sport in this country.
But, in terms of the logistics, the delayed start is going to affect the schedule.
Will it not be too cold by the time the post-season comes around?
It would be, yes. So, all post-season games that run past November 15th will be played at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul an indoor arena and currently the home of the Kiwoom Heroes. The latest a KBO season has ended was in 2018 when SK Wyverns sealed the Korean Series against Doosan Bears on November 12th that year.
Let's hope the season can start in May, then.
Absolutely, KBO will make a decision next week, it says. KBO will no doubt be encouraged by the shrinking number of new COVID-19 cases, but is waiting until the government's social distancing measures are lifted this Sunday. Children's Day on May 5th has been discussed as a possible start date.
Switching to football now, with no revenue from ticket sales and broadcasters, how are clubs coping financially?
Well, the biggest burden is player wages and so K League today sent out a press release saying that it hopes the Players Association understand the current difficulties and will propose wage cuts. It's estimated that teams will lose a combined 47 million U.S. Dollars because the season is due to be significantly shorter.
Even in Europe clubs are feeling the strain financially. In Italy, Juventus players have agreed to take a four-month wage freeze. Barcelona players have taken a 70% paycut so that non-playing staff can be paid. Liverpool said they were going to furlough staff but then changed their mind.
It isn't just about helping the non-playin
The lack of sports action across the world could open the door for South Korea's professional baseball league to tap into the North American market...that is if the new season can begin in May.
Our Sports editor, Paul Neat, is in the studio again this week.
Paul, there have been some interesting developments with the KBO, what can you tell us about that?
That's right, U.S. broadcast company, ESPN, has been in contact with KBO about the possibility of obtaining broadcast rights in North America. ESPN is trying to fill vacant time slots and has asked MLB for help in contacting KBO. But, any deal will hinge on whether the new baseball season can start in May.
What has KBO said about the possibility of matches being aired in the U.S.?
On Thursday KBO Communications Director, Lee Jin-hyung , confirmed ESPN's approach and said that they are still working on the details. Another representative said that if the season can begin in early May then the chances of signing a contract with ESPN are quite high.
Interestingly, Tyler Wilson, an American pitcher currently with LG Twins, is all for the prospect of matches being aired in North America...believes that the standard of play in KBO is high and that American fans will enjoy watching.
Interesting.
Opening Korean baseball up to the North American market can only be good for the future of the sport in this country.
But, in terms of the logistics, the delayed start is going to affect the schedule.
Will it not be too cold by the time the post-season comes around?
It would be, yes. So, all post-season games that run past November 15th will be played at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul an indoor arena and currently the home of the Kiwoom Heroes. The latest a KBO season has ended was in 2018 when SK Wyverns sealed the Korean Series against Doosan Bears on November 12th that year.
Let's hope the season can start in May, then.
Absolutely, KBO will make a decision next week, it says. KBO will no doubt be encouraged by the shrinking number of new COVID-19 cases, but is waiting until the government's social distancing measures are lifted this Sunday. Children's Day on May 5th has been discussed as a possible start date.
Switching to football now, with no revenue from ticket sales and broadcasters, how are clubs coping financially?
Well, the biggest burden is player wages and so K League today sent out a press release saying that it hopes the Players Association understand the current difficulties and will propose wage cuts. It's estimated that teams will lose a combined 47 million U.S. Dollars because the season is due to be significantly shorter.
Even in Europe clubs are feeling the strain financially. In Italy, Juventus players have agreed to take a four-month wage freeze. Barcelona players have taken a 70% paycut so that non-playing staff can be paid. Liverpool said they were going to furlough staff but then changed their mind.
It isn't just about helping the non-playin