The Korean Basketball League (KBL) 안전놀이터 is in the midst of a first-of-its-kind suspension. The Day One Jumper, which entered professional basketball by acquiring the Goyang Orion in May last year, was expelled from the league at the KBL General Assembly on the 16th. The KBL cannot escape the blame for allowing the insolvent company to participate in the league and will have to take the initiative to attract a new club. If a new club is not found, the league will have to play the next season with nine teams for the first time since its inception.
The KBL is being blamed by some in and out of basketball circles. There was a lot of doubt about Day One’s ability to run the organization, but the KBL allowed them to join the league, which led to the whole mess. It’s true that the KBL didn’t look kindly on Day One from the beginning. The KBL rejected the acquisition of Orion because the club’s management plan and financial situation were not strong enough. Afterward, Dayone strengthened the documents and resubmitted them to the KBL, and won approval to join the league. However, DaeWon was unable to pay the 1.5 billion won subscription fee on time, and later fell behind on player salaries and was eventually expelled.
The KBL claims to be a victim of deception. KBL President Kim Hee-ok’s strongly worded criticism of Day One’s expulsion seems to emphasize this point. “Rather than resolving player salary arrears, D.A.Y.O.N. has been consistent with its ‘false’ and irresponsible attitude, greatly undermining the trust and stability of the league,” Kim said. Kim is a lawyer who served as the Seoul East District Attorney and Constitutional Court judge.
The KBL says it will fulfill its responsibilities by first protecting its players. On April 19, the KBL granted the team access to Goyang Gymnasium, its home stadium for the 2022-2023 season. The players, who finished their season on April 19, were able to build up their bodies as soon as the 60-day team training restriction was lifted. The KBL will also pay the players’ salaries starting this month and will return them through appropriate means later. 토토사이트순위
The only thing more pressing than the liability issue is next season. At worst, the 2023-2024 season will be played with nine teams. At that point, the KBL will hold a special draft for all Day One players. The special draft will consist of two picks per team and will be exempt from salary cap and enrollment limits for the 2023-2024 season only. The question is the order of the draft. Day One, which reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs last season, has some of the best players in the league, including Jeon Sung-hyun and Lee Jung-hyun.
The KBL is scrambling to avoid the worst case scenario. “We are exploring the creation of a new club with the city of Busan, which has actively expressed its intention to host a basketball team,” said a KBL official.