Chan Ho Park Leads $70 Million Team61 Investment in Oakland Athletics

On July 27, the Oakland Athletics announced that the investment group Team61 will inject $70 million into the franchise. The commitment includes $55 million up front, with an additional $15 million contingent on Major League Baseball’s approval of the deal. The funding arrives as the club prepares to relocate to a new $2 billion, 33,000-seat domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

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Former pitcher Chan Ho Park, the first Korean-born player in MLB history, pitched 17 seasons from 1994 to 2010, compiling a 124-98 win-loss record across stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. His career paved the way for Korean talent and cultivated a fan base that now views South Korea as a “baseball powerhouse” with a strong player-development system.

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Team61’s ownership group includes actors Ken Jeong and Daniel Dae Kim, as well as Suga of the K-pop group BTS. The partnership also aligns with Harbinger Sports Partners, whose recent minority stake in the Athletics brings former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Atlanta Falcons minority owner Rashaun Williams into the ownership mix. Harbinger has raised more than $460 million in the past six months, though specific terms of its stake were not disclosed.

Reuters

Park will serve as a senior adviser to Athletics owner John Fisher, focusing on player development and Asian market initiatives. Fisher highlighted the strategic value of the partnership, noting the club’s interest in expanding its international footprint. Both Park and Fisher emphasized the potential for increased opportunities for Korean and Asian players through the Las Vegas venture.

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• “During my playing career, I introduced Korea to Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball to Korean fans, and I saw firsthand how even a small point of connection can create meaningful change,” — Chan Ho Park

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• “South Korea is an exciting country for baseball, and we are thrilled to partner with Chan Ho Park and Team61 to support their continued future success," Fisher said.” — John Fisher

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