Friday, September 25, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

ESPN to Air Korean Baseball Games

  • ESPN will exclusively televise six live games per week in the U.S., starting with Opening Day on Tuesday.
  • Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez will call the Samsung Lions vs. NC Dinos season-opener, as well as the May 6 and May 7 games.
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Live sports are coming back to TV, starting very early Tuesday morning. ESPN has reached an agreement to be the exclusive English-language broadcast partner for the KBO, South Korea’s top-flight baseball league.

ESPN will broadcast the league’s Opening Day at 1 a.m. ET and will air one game per day, Tuesday through Sunday. The deal includes postseason play as well. The network’s baseball commentators will contribute to the coverage, including Karl Ravech, Jon Sciambi, Eduardo Perez, Jessica Mendoza and Kyle Peterson. Ravech and Perez will call the first game between the NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions.

The 10-team Korean baseball league is one of the first major professional sports leagues to return to action and could provide a blueprint for U.S. leagues looking to return to normal.

With the live-action on ESPN, sportsbooks could also see some relief if bettors see an opportunity in the KBO – the league has been approved for live betting in some states, including New Jersey and Indiana. American sports fans itching to watch some competitive action can brush up on the KBO with these tip sheets from ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

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

Ryan Smith at Front Office Sports
First at FOS

Ryan Smith Vows ‘Aggressive’ Push for Utah MLB Expansion Team

The Jazz and Mammoth owner has a vision for baseball in Utah.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump gestures ahead of the trophy presentation REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Donald Trump Not Expected to Join ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday

ESPN does plan to show Trump during its Tennessee–Texas telecast.
Sep 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning at Fenway Park.

MLB Shifts Red Sox–Cubs Series Ahead of Coming Nor’easter

One game has already been moved, and more changes are possible.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/25/26 – Trump Skips ‘GameDay,’ Sun Leave Connecticut, Juszczyk’s ‘Juice’ Fine

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.
Rob Gronkowski Front Office Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski Explains Terry Bradshaw’s Viral McBride Moment

Gronkowski says the Hall of Fame quarterback was in on the joke.
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski ‘Loved’ Tom Brady’s Profane Reaction to Daniels Injury

Brady has since apologized for cursing on-air.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Mar 15, 2026; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; NBC on-course reporter Jim “Bones” Mackay watches from the first tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images
September 24, 2026

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay Reveals High Cost of Being a Caddie

Mackay was Phil Mickelson’s longtime caddie.
Exclusive
September 23, 2026

Linda Cohn Brings Podcast to Bleav

Cohn’s podcast has reached 36,000 subscribers in just over two months.
Mar 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sportscaster Bob Costas before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
September 23, 2026

Bob Costas Praises Pablo Torre’s ‘First-Rate’ Sports Journalism

Meanwhile, Costas bemoaned the demise of his former employer, HBO Sports.
Cynthia Frelund NFL Network
September 23, 2026

Bees and Mac and Cheese: Inside Cynthia Frelund’s Eclectic Investments

Football isn’t the subject where Frelund uses her experience with data.