Lee Kwan-hee of Seoul Samsung and Kim Dong-hyun of Busan KCC fail to reach a salary agreement, applying for arbitration; Byun Jun-hyung and Heo Hoon share the top spot with 800 million won salaries

*This content was translated by AI.

With the registration deadline for domestic players to participate in the 2026-2027 KBL season now closed, Lee Kwan-hee (38) of Seoul Samsung and Kim Dong-hyun (24) of Busan KCC found themselves at an impasse in salary negotiations with their respective clubs, ultimately applying for salary arbitration. Meanwhile, Byun Jun-hyung (30) of Anyang Jeonggwanjang and Heo Hoon (31) of Busan KCC both reached the 800th million won mark, emerging as the highest-paid players for the upcoming season.

The KBL officially announced the results of the domestic player registration deadline for the 2026-2027 season on the 30th. A total of 172 domestic and Asia quota players from 10 clubs completed their registration, finalizing preliminary procedures for the upcoming season.

The most prominent issue in this player registration was the fate of Lee Kwan-hee and Kim Dong-hyun, who failed to sign by the deadline. The two players could not reach a salary agreement with their clubs and applied for salary arbitration with the KBL. Their salaries for the next season will be finalized following review by the KBL Arbitration Committee. Fans are closely watching what results these two players, who chose arbitration after intense negotiations with their clubs, will receive.

Meanwhile, the biggest winners at this year's salary negotiation table were Byun Jun-hyung and Heo Hoon. Both players recorded total salaries of 800 million won, tying for the top spot in salaries for the 2026-2027 season. Byun Jun-hyung earned the honor of being the highest-paid player for the first time since his professional debut, while KCC's star guard Heo Hoon maintained his position as the league's highest-paid player for the second consecutive season, following last year, upholding his pride as the league's top star.

The spectacular leaps of players on the verge of "salary windfalls" were also noteworthy. The player who achieved the steepest salary increase this season is Jo Han-jin of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis. Jo Han-jin signed for a total salary of 300 million won, recording the highest salary increase rate of 200% compared to last season (100 million won), taking the top spot for salary increases. Lee Yun-ki of Wonju DB also secured the second-highest salary increase rate, signing a contract for 130 million won, an 189% increase from last season.

With all 172 players now registered, the KBL has officially begun preparations for the season. Amidst the mixed fortunes of players surrounding salary negotiations, attention is focused on the final outcomes for Lee Kwan-hee and Kim Dong-hyun, who applied for arbitration.

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*This content was translated by AI.