Friday, May 29, 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

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

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; General view of the field during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Labor Talks Escalate With Owners’ Salary Cap Pitch to Union

Eight teams would need to shed payroll under the proposed structure.

Sacramento’s Bid Intensifies MLB’s Complex Expansion Derby

The California capital city formally unveils its bid to land a club.
Oxford, MS - November 4, 2023 - The Grove: Wright Thompson on the set of Marty & McGee.

Wright Thompson Bullish on Literary Sportswriting ‘Renaissance’

The ESPN senior writer also explained why he left Twitter/X.

Featured Today

Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 22, 2026

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Texas State mascot
May 22, 2026

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
May 27, 2026

Why Roland-Garros Is Correcting Everyone About Its Name Now

The tournament started in 1891.
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
opinion
May 27, 2026

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Value on Full Display in Commissioner Parade

McAfee’s special featured several league commissioners, athletes, and analysts.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Charles Robinson Yahoo Sports
exclusive
May 27, 2026

Yahoo Sports Lays Off Prominent NFL Reporters

Charles Robinson and Charles McDonald were among those let go.
Dec 3, 2022; Al Rayyan, Qatar; United States of America manager Gregg Berhalter acknowledges fans after losing a round of sixteen match against the Netherlands in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
May 27, 2026

FanDuel Launching World Cup Show With 3 Former USMNT Coaches

‘Coaches Corner’ will debut its first of 10 episodes on June 1.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
May 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ronda Rousey (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Gina Carano (red gloves) after a women's featherweight bout at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026

How Jake Paul’s MVP Plans to Build on Netflix MMA Debut

Saturday’s debut averaged 12.4 million viewers on Netflix.