Pro-baseball Players Pledge W1 Billion for Hyundai Unicorns

Pro-baseball Players Pledge W1 Billion for Hyundai Unicorns. January. 16, 2008 07:26. hic@donga.com.

Pro-baseball players gathered together to save Hyundai Unicorns.

The Korea Professional Baseball Player Association (KPBPA) announced during the press conference held at its office in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, yesterday that it will help Hyundai Unicorns by raising fund worth 1 billion won.

KPBPA Chairman Sohn Min-han (Lotte Giants) said, “There must be eight pro-baseball teams in Korea. This not only concerns Hyundai but it also can shake the ground of the Korean pro-baseball league itself. While considering all possible options, players decided to raise 1 billion won."

“Since pro-baseball players’ total annual salary amounts to around 30 billion won, the players’ voluntary contribution can reach the target,” said KPBPA secretary general, Nah Jin-gyun.

To raise the fund, hosting all-star games and autograph events are also considered.

Lee Sung-yong, Hyundai captain, said, “I appreciate the KPBPA’s decision. Hyundai Unicorns players will delegate all their right to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) including their right to negotiate this season’s salary. We request the KBO to concert its efforts in finding a new owner of the team rather than worry about the players’ salary.”

The KPBPA also promised to engage in negotiations with the KBO and baseball teams in a positive manner in order to find an optimal way for the involved.

The KBO secretary general, Hah Il-seong, said to the KPBPA executive members who visited the KBO after the press conference, “I am sorry that the issue caused a turmoil. We will endeavor to bring an early end to the problem.”