Changwon: The head of the South Korean baseball club NC Dinos has threatened to move the team after a feud with its current home city over stadium management, particularly in light of a recent deadly incident. At a press conference held at Changwon NC Park, CEO Lee Jin-man expressed concerns over the treatment of the club by the municipal government, stating it endangered the team's future despite efforts to integrate into the local community.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Dinos returned to their home stadium for the first time since March 29 after an aluminum panel fell from above a concession stand, tragically killing a fan. The incident led to extensive safety inspections and maintenance work, forcing the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team to play on the road for over a month and a half. Changwon, which owns the stadium, faced criticism for avoiding responsibility and delaying the Dinos' return post-inspections.
The team temporarily relocated to Ulsan, where they played six games earlier in the month. Changwon only prepared the stadium for the team's return after Ulsan was announced as an interim home, citing concerns about the local economy being impacted by the Dinos' absence.
CEO Lee highlighted the discord between the team and the city, stating, "The incident allowed us to reflect on our surroundings and the time we've spent here. We will explore a partnership built on mutual trust. Despite a myriad of challenges, we have been trying to put down roots in the local community, but I don't think our work has been recognized."
Lee emphasized that relocation won't happen immediately and acknowledged the difficulty of moving to a new city by the next season. "We will need to discuss this with Changwon but I won't give you a timeline here," he said. He also noted that the team has suffered financial losses of approximately 4 billion won (US$2.9 million) due to missed home games and affected performance.
The CEO insisted on prioritizing the Dinos and their fans when deciding the team's future. "It may appear as though the team and the city aren't seeing eye to eye, but we will not make an emotional decision," Lee remarked. He expressed openness to discussions if Changwon offers practical solutions.
In response, Changwon city stated its intention to "strengthen communication and cooperation" with the Dinos, recognizing the team as an important local asset. Park Keun-chan, secretary general of the KBO, also confirmed that the league office has urged Changwon to support the Dinos.
Lee mentioned that the KBO had informed the Dinos of a realistic option to relocate if desired. "Teams in foreign leagues relocate for all kinds of reasons," Lee said. "There are many instances that we can learn from, and we will be in talks with the KBO over a wide range of issues."
The Dinos had previously paid 33 billion won for a 25-year lease at Changwon NC Park when it opened in 2019. Lee stated that the money will not affect their decision-making process regarding relocation, considering it a sunk cost if moving enhances the team's value.