Thursday, June 4, 2026

KBO and MLB Reportedly Considering Hosting Each Other’s Games

  • Last week, KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-youn reportedly had a meeting with MLB senior VP of international affairs, Jim Small.
  • The pair reportedly spoke about ideas for hosting KBO games in the U.S. and MLB games in Korea.
The Korea Herald

The Korean Baseball Organization and Major League Baseball have reportedly talked about a new partnership that would bring increased international visibility to both leagues.

Last week, KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-youn had a meeting with MLB senior VP of international affairs, Jim Small, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The pair reportedly spoke about ideas for hosting KBO games in the U.S. and MLB games in Korea — an idea Heo suggested.

One of the ideas the two considered was hosting KBO Opening Day games in the U.S. and MLB Opening Day games in Korea.

The idea makes sense, given that baseball is wildly popular in South Korea. In 2017, 62% of the population had named baseball their No. 1 favorite sport, according to data aggregated by Statista. 

The KBO is the nation’s top baseball league. It boasts 10 teams, each of which plays 144 games during the regular season.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB’s Long-Stalled Stadium Plans—Rays and A’s—Show Progress

The A’s and Rays both are drawing closer to getting new ballparks.

MLB Owners Hold Firm On Salary Cap, Cite ‘Failure’ With Luxury Tax

Rising willingness by teams to pay the tax prompts a new approach.

MLBPA Says Owners’ Salary Cap Would Cut Player Pay by $500M

The union again decries management’s push to implement a salary cap.
May 27, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) after the win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

MLB Labor Talks Face Long Road and Certain Change

The initial salvos reinforced how differently owners and players view the sport.

Featured Today

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
Noah Lyles (USA) wins the men’s 100m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
September 22, 2025

Summer Olympics Face a Climate-Induced Heat Check

The World Athletics president says the status quo is not sustainable.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
September 29, 2025

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
January 13, 2025

Newsom Adamant About L.A. Hosting 2028 Olympics

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.