Former MLB pitcher Chan Ho Park (left) hugs San Diego Padres Ha Seong Kim after throwing out the first pitch on opening day between the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul South Korea on Wed Mar 20, 2025. Park with K Pop star Suga (Min Yoon-gi) are investing in the Athletics move to Las Vegas (AP News file photo)

Ex MLB Pitcher Chan Ho Park investing in the Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Chan Ho Park and Suga (Min Yoon-gi), a member of the famous K-Pop group BTS, are investing in a private equity fund led by Park’s firm, Team61. The investors are joining a group of investors backing the Athletics at a $2 billion evaluation in their bid to relocate to Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.

The private fund, valued at approximately $70 million, plans to acquire 2-3 percent of newly issued Athletics shares to support the team’s effort for a new stadium in Las Vegas. Joining Suga and Park in the investment fund are other notable figures, including Lee Man-deuk of Samchully Co. and Mike Joo, COO of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s investment banking division.

Suga, who recently completed his mandatory military service and is known for his philanthropic efforts—including a ₩5 billion (approximately $3.6 million) donation to Severance Hospital in Seoul—is expected to bring cultural cachet and global branding power to the A’s as they prepare for their Las Vegas debut.

Suga has traveled the world with the popular Korean group K-Pop, including the last few years at the Oakland Coliseum for concerts. Chan Ho Park pitched for 17 seasons in the MLB, winning 124 games and accumulating 1,715 strikeouts.

Park was the first Korean pitcher in the major leagues, beginning his career with the Dodgers from 1994 to 2001, then pitching for the Padres, Mets, Phillies, Yankees, and Pirates. He aims to enhance the Athletics’ involvement in Asian baseball, an influence that could benefit the team as they prepare to enter their new era in Las Vegas.

The two most popular sports in Korea are baseball and football(soccer). Baseball is the most attended spectator sport. The KBO League is a major draw as the top league in baseball, boasting high attendance and a strong following.

An interesting move for the A’s as they attempt to gain influence and eventually recruit talent for their system within the Asian baseball market. Currently, the Dodgers have the top two Japanese stars in MLB, leading the way in Japan with the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com