The first major challenge for the new Changwon mayor is not to keep NC, but to make them want to stay in Changwon [Ryu Sun-kyu's Bizball]

*This content was translated by AI.

The nationwide simultaneous local elections were held on June 3, and new local government heads were elected in each region. Accordingly, the term of office for the ninth term of local government heads will begin on July 1. New local government heads across the country are starting their terms with various tasks, including regional economic development, public welfare, and urban development. However, on the desk of the Changwon Special City Mayor (hereinafter Changwon Mayor), there is a special task rarely found in other cities: resolving the conflict between NC Dinos and Changwon City and putting an end to the controversy over the potential relocation of the team's home base.

Changwon Special City (hereinafter Changwon City) has been in a state of "mayoral vacancy" since April last year. At that time, the Changwon Mayor was convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act, and the Supreme Court confirmed the invalidation of the election, leading to an acting mayor system. While the acting mayor system poses no problems for basic city administration, it has clear limitations in promoting new policies or mediating issues where interests are sharply divided.

This mayoral vacancy significantly affected NC Dinos, whose home base is Changwon. On March 29 last year, a fatal spectator accident occurred at Changwon NC Park, NC's home stadium, marking the first such incident in KBO League history. Following this, conflicts erupted between Changwon City and NC over stadium safety and operational responsibilities. NC had hoped to resume home games at Changwon NC Park on Children's Day, May 5, but the resumption date was repeatedly delayed. Ultimately, the team had to alternate between away games and substitute home games for over two months. In this process, the absence of a mayor hindered timely decision-making and conflict resolution, exacerbating the situation.

Ultimately, on May 30, NC publicly mentioned the possibility of relocating its home base during a press conference held ahead of the resumption of home games at Changwon NC Park. For a professional baseball team, "relocation of home base" is virtually a taboo. A team's most important asset is its local fans, and the home base is the starting point of the team's identity. The fact that this was expressed on an official platform itself indicates that the current situation is being taken as seriously as it is.

Since the opening of Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in 2014, new stadiums have been consecutively opened in Daegu, Gocheok, Changwon, and Daejeon. Among them, Changwon NC Park is highly regarded by both players and fans for its excellent viewing environment and convenience facilities. There is little disagreement that, in terms of the stadium itself, it is at the top level of the KBO League.

In addition, NC has been one of the most active teams in local-focused marketing since its founding. Rather than staying only in Changwon, it expanded its activities to nearby Gyeongnam regions such as Goseong and Tongyeong. Even though the KBO League has adopted the city-based home system, NC has effectively positioned itself as "Gyeongnam's team" and worked to expand the base of baseball.

Nevertheless, NC's average home game attendance for this season is the lowest among the 10th teams, standing at 12,471 as of June 26. It is lower than 9th-place Kiwoom (12,867) and differs by 1,773 from 8th-place KT (14,244). While the KBO League is heading toward the historic milestone of 13 million total spectators this season, Changwon alone is not fully enjoying this momentum.

The cause lies not inside the stadium but outside. The biggest reason is the lack of transportation infrastructure.

Except for Changwon, most professional baseball home cities have access to urban rail or subway systems. Even if the stadium is far from the city center, transfer systems and public transportation networks such as city buses are well developed. In contrast, Changwon has no urban rail, and public transportation to and from Changwon NC Park is insufficient. Parking space is also inadequate. Furthermore, the last KTX to Seoul departs from Masan Station at 9:43 p.m., which is earlier than in other major home cities, leading many away fans to leave before the game ends. This contrasts with Busan Station, where trains run until 11:00 p.m., and Gwangju Songjeong Station, where trains run until 11:03 p.m.

The reason why KT, which joined the first division two years later than NC, records higher average attendance is also related to this. The only teams based in non-metropolitan local governments are NC in Changwon and KT in Suwon. However, Suwon enjoys a relative advantage in attracting spectators due to its location in the Seoul Capital Area. In contrast, Changwon is far from the Seoul Capital Area, and accessibility for away fans is significantly lower.

Ultimately, while Changwon NC Park boasts top-tier facilities, its location as a home stadium for a professional baseball team is disadvantageous. The result of having the lowest average attendance reflects these structural limitations.

More importantly, this is a problem that the team cannot solve on its own. While the team operates the stadium, the city creates the roads leading to it. Transportation, accessibility, and surrounding infrastructure are the responsibility of local governments. However, more than 10 years after NC joined the first division in 2013, this issue remains unresolved.

In domestic professional baseball, the only case of a team relocating its home base was Hyundai Unicorns in 2000. At that time, Hyundai operated under the home bases of Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon before relocating to Seoul. Even with the opening of the new Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon in 2002, Hyundai ultimately left Incheon. Later, SK Wyverns established a new home in Incheon, causing considerable confusion among local baseball fans. Some fans followed Hyundai, while others began supporting SK. Many fans left the stadium.

Many fans left the stadium. It took a long time for SK to fully establish itself in Incheon.

There is no guarantee that the same situation will not occur in Changwon. If NC relocates to another city, the biggest victims will be Changwon citizens and local baseball fans. The utilization plan for Changwon NC Park, the best baseball stadium in the country, will also become a new challenge. If Changwon City were to pursue the introduction of a new professional team at that point, it would inevitably face criticism for "mending the barn after losing the cow."

From the perspective of professional baseball as a whole, NC's relocation is not a desirable scenario. If NC were to move to the Seoul Capital Area, it would not contribute to expanding the base of baseball or achieving balanced league development. NC has played a significant role in expanding the base of baseball across Gyeongnam Province beyond Changwon and spreading regional sports culture. The author also personally confirmed the intense interest of students and parents in baseball through lectures on "Baseball and Mathematics" in Changwon and Goseong, Gyeongnam, last year. The impact of a single professional baseball team on the local community is far greater than one might think.

Now, the ball is in the hands of the new Changwon Mayor.

The term of the current Changwon Mayor runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030. Moreover, the remodeling of a baseball stadium in Seongnam, one of the potential relocation candidates for NC, is being pursued with a target opening in 2028. Regardless of whether an actual relocation occurs, the environment for NC to consider its long-term future is gradually being prepared. It is highly likely that the direction of the relationship between Changwon and NC will be determined within the term of this Changwon Mayor.

Professional baseball teams are not just sports teams. Every time a home game is held, restaurants, accommodations, transportation, tourism, and commercial districts move together, making them core content of the regional economy. For NC to remain in Changwon is not just about saving one baseball team; it is about protecting the city's brand and the regional economy together.

The first major challenge for the new Changwon Mayor is not to keep NC. It is to make NC confident enough to want to stay in Changwon on its own.

With the launch of the ninth term of local government, Changwon City can no longer delay decisions citing mayoral vacancy. What is needed now is resolve. That resolve must be a path where Changwon City, NC, and above all, all Changwon baseball fans, win together.

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*This content was translated by AI.