Chan Ho Park Becomes First Korean Part-Owner of Athletics in $70M Team61 Investment Ahead of Las Vegas Move
Chan Ho Park buys a minority stake in the Oakland Athletics as part of Team61’s $70 million commitment, joining the ownership group before the team’s Las Vegas relocation.
Former major league pitcher Chan Ho Park has purchased a minority ownership stake in the Oakland Athletics and will serve as a senior adviser to the club’s principal owner, John Fisher. The investment, announced by the group Team61, totals $70 million with $55 million committed immediately and an additional $15 million contingent on Major League Baseball approval. Park’s involvement marks the first time a Korean-born player has become a part-owner of a Major League Baseball franchise.
Park’s investment and role with the Athletics
Team61 stated the group’s capital commitment to the Athletics totals $70 million, of which $55 million is finalized and $15 million awaits MLB approval. Park will carry the title senior adviser to owner John Fisher and is expected to support the organization’s international outreach and player-development initiatives. The deal still requires formal ratification from Major League Baseball before the contingent funds are transferred and Park’s ownership stake is finalized.
Historic milestone for Korean baseball
Park becomes the first Korean to hold an ownership stake in a major league club, capping a career that made him a trailblazer for Asian players in the United States. He pitched in MLB from 1994 to 2010 across 17 seasons and is credited with helping expand American baseball’s visibility in South Korea. Ownership participation by a prominent Korean figure is likely to deepen ties between MLB and South Korea’s rapidly growing baseball community.
Statements from Park and Athletics leadership
Park framed his investment as an opportunity to build stronger connections between Korean baseball and the Athletics’ forthcoming Las Vegas presence. He said he sees Las Vegas as a new chapter for MLB and hopes the partnership will create more pathways for Korean players and fans to engage with the sport. Owner John Fisher described the move as an “international” benefit for the franchise and highlighted Park’s pioneering role in Asian baseball as a foundation for future collaboration.
Other additions to the A’s investor group
Team61’s announcement follows a separate minority investment by Harbinger Sports Group, disclosed earlier in the week, which includes investors such as Mark Cuban among its backers. Harbinger said it has raised several hundred million dollars recently, signaling broader interest in the club as it prepares to relocate. The two transactions together reflect a flurry of capital formation around the Athletics as the organization readies its transition to a new market.
Las Vegas stadium project and relocation timeline
The Athletics are planning a domed stadium project on the Las Vegas Strip with reported development costs around $2 billion and seating for roughly 33,000 spectators. The organization has already begun transitional play outside the Bay Area and is scheduled to complete its move to Las Vegas ahead of the 2028 season. The new facility and the relocation plan are central to the team’s strategy to expand market reach and unlock new revenue streams.
Implications for player development and international strategy
Ownership ties with Korean baseball could accelerate scouting, academies, and cultural exchange programs between the Athletics and South Korean clubs. Park’s advisory role is positioned to guide initiatives focused on player pathways and fan engagement in Asia, leveraging his experience as a player who bridged both markets. The Athletics’ leadership has argued that stronger international relationships will bolster the franchise’s competitiveness and commercial profile.
The investment by Park and other backers comes amid increased scrutiny on the A’s relocation and stadium financing, but it also represents a strategic effort to broaden the ownership base with internationally recognized figures. As the club pursues MLB approval for the recent commitments, stakeholders will watch how these partnerships influence roster pipelines, marketing efforts abroad, and the pace of stadium development.
