"Nothing is Certain": The Threats Lurking Behind the Record-Breaking Hype as Professional Baseball Approaches 13 Million [Special Report on the 22nd Anniversary, Part 1]

*This content was translated by AI.

"We must think that nothing is certain."

8.1 million → 10.88 million → 12.31 million. Professional baseball has firmly established itself as Korea's premier professional sport. After opening the era of over 10 million spectators for the first time in Korean professional sports history in 2024, it surpassed 12 million last year and is now preparing to write new history with even hotter enthusiasm this season.

However, thinking that things will last forever or are taken for granted is absolutely forbidden. Such perceptions could plunge professional baseball into another crisis.

Professional baseball was in a dark period in the early 2000s. Even with an eight-team system, attendance remained stuck in the low 2 million range from 2000 to 2004. However, starting in 2006 and 2009 with fourth-place finishes and runner-up titles at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), along with a perfect 9-0 record and gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it began to chart a steep upward trend in popularity.

Attendance steadily increased, leading to a nine-team system in 2013 and a ten-team system in 2015. From 2016, it entered an era of over 8 million spectators for three consecutive years.

However, after showing a decline in attendance to 7.28 million in 2019, the following year saw the season played with virtually no spectators due to the fallout from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for two consecutive years.

Since then, spectators have returned again. Attendance reached 6.07 million in 2022 and 8.1 million in 2023, leading to a successful breakthrough of over 10 million spectators—the highest ever—in 2024. Last year, it even surpassed 12 million, sparking a professional baseball phenomenon.

Rather, the baseball community failed to quickly diagnose the exact causes. It was not based on international tournament results like in the mid-2000s, nor were there any clear positive factors.

It was a boom driven by natural changes in the times. Women in their 20s and 30s began leading the surge in popularity. Amidst steep price increases, professional baseball, which offers long hours of entertainment, gained attention as a cost-effective cultural activity. The games unfolding daily and the content pouring out within an advanced new media environment have greatly increased satisfaction among new consumer groups, moving beyond stable boom trends to a flow that secures more consumer groups day by day.

However, it is not filled with only rosy prospects. Behind the dazzling figure of 13 million spectators, fatal crisis elements lurk that could shake the foundation of the KBO League. If we become intoxicated with current popularity, we might experience a collapse as sudden and fragile as a sandcastle. To prevent this, a cold-eyed confrontation with reality is necessary.

"◆ Unceasing Incidents and Moral Laxity"

The most critical area to guard against is player misconduct. This has long been recognized as the most dangerous factor hindering professional baseball's popularity. Just this year, Lotte Giants players were disciplined for appearing at illegal gambling sites abroad. Kiwoom Heroes playing coach Lee Yong-gyu received a two-year suspension from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) due to a drunk driving accident.

In addition, professional baseball has experienced numerous incidents and accidents that have disappointed fans in the past. Ethical issues such as assault and privacy controversies could be the fastest shortcut to toppling the tower painstakingly built toward the 13th million spectator era. In particular, we must not overlook the fact that the 2030 female fan base, which is currently leading the boom, holds stricter moral standards and will actively respond with boycott movements or thorough indifference when those standards are violated. Since a single instance of misconduct can lead to damage to the image of the entire league, teams and the KBO must further strengthen severe disciplinary actions and effective preventive education.

"◆ Declining International Competition Power as Baseball Moves Away from the Global Stage"

Another issue is improving international competition power. We must recall that the mid-2000s revival of the KBO League was fueled by international competitiveness, such as Olympic gold medals and strong WBC performances. However, in recent years, Korean baseball has faced early exits at major international stages, making it acutely aware of the clear gap with world baseball.

Having returned to the main tournament stage for the first time in 17 years at the upcoming 2026 WBC, the focus must now shift to maintaining momentum with a gold medal at next month's 2026 Nagoya-Aichi Asian Games. A gold medal at the Asian Games can also serve as a legal opportunity to resolve conscription issues for players who have not yet completed military service, playing a significant role in sustaining professional baseball's popularity.

"◆ Environment Threatening Comfortable Viewing: KBO Must Respond Swiftly"

The uncontrollable variable of 'climate' has also emerged as a direct threat to popularity. The increasingly severe scorching heatwaves on the Korean Peninsula are becoming obstacles to the stadium viewing experience. Especially this month, the region faced such intense heat that a staggering 30 games had to be postponed.

In response to the heatwave sweeping the peninsula, the KBO hastily created regulations for game cancellations due to extreme heat. However, at last week's Incheon match (SSG vs. LG), which was forced to proceed despite not meeting these criteria, numerous cases of heat-related illnesses occurred. Consequently, the KBO urgently cancelled all games scheduled for that week and subsequently adjusted even the game start times.

Of course, proactive response is not easy. It causes disruptions in many already-scheduled events and requires additional schedule adjustments. However, to prevent safety accidents and improve spectator satisfaction, we must stay alert and respond swiftly. Although the heatwave has somewhat subsided, concerns now extend to typhoons and heavy rains. Just on the 30th alone, three games were cancelled due to rain.

The KBO needs to respond quickly for flexible league operations. From a long-term perspective, it is also time to consider fundamental environmental improvements such as expanding dome stadiums to suppress these variables and regularly adjusting game times during the peak summer heat season.

"◆ Performance That Sighs, and the Warning 'Nothing is Certain'"

Above all, the fundamental problem lies in the on-field performance and attitudes toward fans. Unlike the soaring popularity that knows no bounds, frequent errors, bunt plays, and lifeless game content are bringing fatigue to fans. There are also concerns that the widening gap between the top five teams and the bottom five teams this season will become a negative factor for the remaining season's popularity.

We must erase the complacent thought that increased attendance will continue to generate enthusiasm even for games that do not meet professional standards indefinitely.

It is time to reflect on the sharp advice from Oh Seung-hwan, a commentator for MBC Sports+ who has experienced baseball in Korea, Japan, and the United States. In a phone call with StarNews, Oh emphasized, "We must think that nothing is certain. There are definitely things players must do for the fans who come to the stadium so much." He added, "When playing, we must always strive to show our best possible performance. I hope they understand that fans make the effort to come to the stadium despite difficult journeys. Therefore, I hope they think that nothing is certain and take more proactive steps in fan service."

The current professional baseball phenomenon is also a heavy responsibility entrusted by fans. If we become intoxicated with this current enthusiasm and fail to examine the inherent crisis elements, the empty stands of the past could return at any time. Only a thorough sense of crisis that "nothing is certain" can guarantee the sustainable popularity of the KBO League.

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*This content was translated by AI.