Day One said “stay tuned,” and the KBL said “wait and see.”
Day One Sports will be the newest member of the KBL for the 2022-2023 season. The team’s naming sponsor is Carot Insurance. The team wanted to operate differently from existing professional basketball organizations.
However, the process of becoming a member was difficult. Specifically, it was a matter of money. The KBL said, “If you do not deposit 500 million won, which is the advance portion of the special subscription fee, by 12 p.m. on October 13, 2022, you will not be allowed to play in the regular league.”
Day One Sports paid 500 million won on October 12, 2022. It was good. Their performance was good. At one point, the team was ranked second or third in the regular season.
However, as the end of the regular season approached, Day One Sports had a bigger problem. They had to pay the remaining 1 billion won in special registration fees. The coaching staff, secretariat, and players were behind on their salaries, and many were pessimistic about their prospects.
However, Day One Sports miraculously (?) paid the 1 billion won. In the quarterfinal playoffs, the team defeated Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in five games. They faced the defending champions, Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation, in a close game.
The passion of the players impressed the fans, but the team faced another mountain to climb. Due to the receivership of its parent company, Daewoo Offshore & Shipbuilding, the organization had to find a new parent company.
The situation became even more difficult for Daehan Sports. Of course, the team showed its willingness to run the club. The team brought in outside free agents Kim Min-wook (205 cm, C) and Ham Jun-hoo (196 cm, F) and is looking ahead to next season.
However, no buyer has emerged. The team’s salaries, outside contractors, and food expenses are still outstanding. And June is approaching, when players must register.
If Dayone Sports can’t do this, the KBL will have to pull the trigger. A KBL official said, “First, we strongly asked for the overdue salary. This is because wage arrears are a big problem. Day One Sports said it would resolve issues such as the new owner, the location, and the payment of the players’ wages by May. “They promised to keep us posted until then,” he said.
But we can’t wait. It’s also hard to trust promises without expectations. A KBL official said, “As we did in October last year and March this year, we will wait and see. We have to wait until the budget session at the end of May. That’s the key prerequisite,” he said.
However, “If everything is finalized by the end of May, we can keep the 10-team system. But if that doesn’t happen, the KBL will have to take the next step. We have player registration and the schedule for the next season. So we have to be more principled,” he said, adding that giving a deadline was also principled.
If Dayone Sports didn’t respond to the wait, the KBL would have to act more concretely. KBL officials also recognized this, saying, “There are things we’re preparing internally, and there are things we’re thinking about.”토토사이트
“We can’t open up (future plans) right away,” he said, “and we’re cautious about saying we’re going to do something that hasn’t happened, and we need time to get supporting documents like contracts.
Nothing is certain. But the fateful hour is approaching. Whatever happens, they need to be ready to make a decision. For that to happen, we need clear communication between the KBL and Dayone Sports. Without clear preparation, accurate communication, and a quick decision, the other teams in the KBL will have to bear the burden once again. In the worst case scenario, the fans will have to bear the burden.