Chan Ho Park, a former major league pitcher and the first Korean player to compete in Major League Baseball, has become the first Korean to purchase a stake in an MLB team. Park joined the investment group Team61, which announced on Sunday night a commitment of $70 million toward the ownership of the Oakland Athletics. Of that total, $55 million is currently committed, with an additional $15 million contingent on approval by Major League Baseball. Alongside Park, actors Ken Jeong and Daniel Dae Kim are also part of the group.
Park, who pitched for 17 seasons from 1994 to 2010 and recorded a 124-98 win-loss record, will assume the role of senior adviser to Athletics owner John Fisher. In a statement, Park expressed hope that the partnership would foster opportunities for the next generation of Korean baseball players by enhancing exchanges between Korea and Las Vegas, where the Athletics are set to relocate by 2028. Park emphasized Korea’s growth as a baseball powerhouse, with enthusiastic fans and a robust player development system.
John Fisher highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting South Korea’s strong baseball culture and expressing optimism that Park’s involvement as a pioneer of Korean ownership in MLB would yield lasting positive effects for both the Athletics and international baseball relations.
This announcement follows another ownership development announced earlier in the week, when Harbinger Sports Group, which counts former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban among its principals, acquired a minority stake in the Athletics. Though specifics of Harbinger’s investment were not disclosed, the group has reportedly raised over $460 million in under six months.
The Athletics are currently playing in West Sacramento as part of a transition period ahead of their planned move to Las Vegas. The team is also preparing to construct a $2 billion domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, expected to seat 33,000 fans. This stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2028 season, marking a new chapter for the franchise.
The recent additions to the Athletics’ ownership group reflect strategic efforts to expand the team’s international reach and solidify its presence in its future home city. Both Park’s historic investment and Harbinger’s minority stake indicate increased financial and global support for the franchise as it continues this major relocation and development process.