Saturday, August 22, 2026

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

Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Greg McElroy during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Greg McElroy Talks SEC vs. Big Ten Debate, Next Top Coaches

The ex-Alabama QB is entering his 13th season with ESPN.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Ascent Continues With ‘Monday Night Countdown’

Jason McCourty is also joining the “Monday Night Countdown” cast.
Kurt Warner
Exclusive

ESPN Closes In on Announce Teams for NFL Network Games

It remains “fluid” whether Jason Kelce will join some game broadcasts.

Stephen A. Smith Vows to Fire Back at NABJ Over ‘Award’

“You had your turn, now mine is coming,” he wrote.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/21/26 – Jeanie Buss’s Ownership Battle, US Open’s Record Purse, Harden Hits $500M

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
Jan 18, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports broadcast microphone before the game between the Oregon Ducks against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Steven Ruiz Leaving The Ringer for Fox Sports

Ruiz had been with The Ringer since 2021.
Aug 6, 2026; Canton, Ohio, USA; The NFL shield logo on the field before the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals play at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
Exclusive
August 21, 2026

The Athletic in Talks to Provide Content to NFL Media Properties

Such content could appear on NFL.com and the NFL+ app.
Nov 6, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama guard Kai Spears (32) a walk on guard, takes a three late in the game at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
August 21, 2026

New York Times Loses $9.25M Defamation Verdict to Ex-Alabama Player

The outlet called the inaccurate report “an honest mistake.”
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
August 20, 2026

What We Know So Far About Clay Travis’s New Media Company

Hard Rock Bet already holds a 10% stake in it.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball againnst the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
August 20, 2026

NFL Network’s Initial ESPN Preseason Ratings Rise 3%

Rams-Chiefs averaged a Week 1–high 2.38 million viewers.
Jan 14, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the shorts of guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Exclusive
August 19, 2026

Noah Reed, Katy Winge Form New Nuggets Broadcast Team

Jason Richardson and Lauren Gardner will also join Nuggets broadcasts.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Fans gather in Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026 England fans gather in a bar after the match REUTERS/Megan Varner
August 19, 2026

Nielsen Set to Make Co-Viewing Official Just As Fall Sports Arrive

Enhanced co-viewing will become part of Nielsen’s official measurements.