[AK View] Changwon-NC: Between Staying Together and Parting Ways

NC Club Mentions Possible Relocation After Fatal Accident
Changwon Announces 130 Billion Won Support Amid Bids from Other Cities
A Chance to Rethink the Management of Professional Sports

Among the passionate fans of the KIA Tigers in professional baseball, there are still those who answer "Haitai Tigers" when asked about their favorite team. This is because they cannot forget the days of "Haitai," when the team set major records and produced outstanding stars despite the parent company's weak finances. Hanwha Eagles fans, whose team has been at the bottom of the rankings for many years and only secured first place in the first half of the season for the first time in 33 years since 1992, have always remained steadfast despite consistently disappointing results. They have earned the nickname "saintly fans" for their enthusiastic support even for small victories, and would often shout "I am happy" even when the score gap was large. In this way, professional sports are deeply intertwined with the identity of local communities centered around their home cities. True strength is only realized when clubs, local governments, residents, and fans come together.

Recently, amid the growing popularity of professional baseball, there has been a heated debate in Changwon, Gyeongnam over the team's home city. After an exterior finishing material fell at Changwon NC Park in March, resulting in casualties, the NC Dinos officially expressed dissatisfaction with the city's response and mentioned the possibility of relocating their home city. As other local governments immediately extended offers, the controversy quickly became a national issue. The situation escalated further when KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-yeon said on a YouTube broadcast, "One of the things I most want to do as commissioner is to relocate a club's home city."

At the end of last month, Changwon City held a "NC Dinos Support Plan Citizen Briefing" and announced a plan to invest 134.6 billion won over 20 years until 2044, reflecting 21 requests from the club. The plan includes adding 2,000 seats to NC Park, renovating the secondary team's official stadium and dedicated training facilities, building accommodations, improving accessibility, and securing more parking spaces. Starting next year, Changwon Facilities Corporation will be responsible for the overall maintenance of NC Park and Masan Baseball Stadium, while the NC club will only manage the grounds and revenue-generating facilities.

Jang Geum-yong, acting mayor, stated, "In these difficult times with population outflow and economic challenges, professional baseball is a precious asset that brings comfort and joy to citizens," adding, "As we have given this issue thorough consideration, we will fully gather citizens' opinions through the briefing and consult with the club." Public opinion is divided. Some criticize the city for not properly supporting NC until now, while others complain, "Is it really necessary to go this far?" There are also concerns that other Changwon-based teams, such as the basketball team LG Sakers and the football team Gyeongnam FC, are being neglected.

In fact, the relocation of home cities has been a recurring issue in other sports as well. In women's professional basketball, Woori Bank moved from Chuncheon to Asan; in men's professional basketball, KT moved from Busan to Suwon, and KCC moved from Jeonju to Busan. While the reasons differ, the common factors are similar: insufficient support from local governments, unfulfilled promises, and difficulties in club operations. As Commissioner Heo Koo-yeon pointed out, if the structure in which clubs remain "tenants" and are neglected continues, it is inevitable that they will seek a new home for the sake of fan service.

There are also conflicts between professional sports teams and local governments. The Hanwha Eagles and Daejeon have experienced various conflicts since the opening of their new stadium. When the governor of Gangwon Province, who is the owner of the professional football team Gangwon FC, announced that home games would be held in Gangneung starting in 2026, Chuncheon City responded by stopping support for Gangwon FC and deciding to focus on its own citizen club.

Next year's local elections present another potential flashpoint. As the elections approach, it is highly likely that promises such as "attracting a club" or "keeping a club" will be made. This is because professional sports teams are a sensitive issue for politicians, directly tied to voter sentiment. It remains uncertain whether NC will continue its journey with Changwon or seek a new home city. The issue of home city relocation is not simply a matter of whether a team stays or leaves. It is a test of what kind of relationship the local community, local government, club, and fans will establish and maintain, and ultimately, whether Korean professional sports can take root as a sustainable industry. Lee Kyungho, Issue & Trend Team Leader