Chan Ho Park joins Athletics ownership group, becoming first Korean MLB team investor

A consortium led by former Korean pitcher Park Chan-ho has bought a stake in a relocating Major League Baseball (MLB) club, marking the first instance of a Korean investment into a big league team. Park announced Monday his consortium, Team61, has signed a strategic partnership with the Athletics, a team previously based in Oakland, California, from 1968 to 2024. They are currently playing in another California city, West Sacramento, and will relocate to Las Vegas in 2028. Park said his consortium will make an investment of $70 million. The first installment of $55 million has been completed, while the consortium is awaiting MLB approval of the remaining $15 million, Park added. As part of the partnership, Park will also become senior adviser to the Athletics' owner, John Fisher, providing consultation on player development and the club's strategies in Asia. Park, 51, became the first Korean player in MLB when he debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994. He went on to win 124 games, the most by a Korean pitcher, over a 17-year career for seven clubs. Team61, named after the number Par

Former pitcher Chan Ho Park became the first Korean to purchase a stake in a major league club, the second significant addition in the past week to the Athletics' ownership structure as they prepare to move to Las Vegas in 2028. Park, the first Korean major league player who pitched 17 seasons (1994-2010), going 124-98, also will take on the title of senior adviser to owner John Fisher. The investment group, Team61, announced Sunday night its investment will total $70 million, of which $55 million is committed with another $15 million if Major League Baseball approves the deal.