KCC ‘Busan-bound’ confirmed, KBL Honam connection team ‘0’…Jeonju City reacts with “regrettable decision”

Men’s professional basketball team KCC is moving from Jeonju to Busan.

The KBL held a board of directors meeting at the KBL Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Tuesday and approved KCC’s change of affiliation. With the move, the KBL will operate without the Honam team from next season.

KCC changed its affiliation from Daejeon to Jeonju in 2001 after acquiring the Daejeon Hyundai Gullivers professional basketball team. After 22 years of success, including five championships and five regular-season titles, the franchise will begin a new chapter in Busan for the 2022-2023 season.

KCC President Choi Hyung-gil said after the board meeting, “It was noisy with Jeonju, our hometown, and various issues. We have been patiently waiting for a smooth transition, but the situation has become more difficult to bear.”

He also said, “We are informing you in this way today because the interests are intertwined and the season is about to start.” He added, “We ask for your deep understanding and cooperation for the club’s position, which is difficult to disclose.”

Busan will host a men’s professional basketball team for the second time in two years after KT moved from Busan to Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, in June 2021. KCC will play its home games at Busan’s Sajik Gymnasium, which was previously used by KT.

Sajik Gymnasium is currently home to Busan BNK, the women’s professional basketball team. KCC will use Sajik Gymnasium with BNK to coordinate the game schedule.

“The game schedule has already been finalized, and there may be partial changes (due to the move), but I don’t think there will be any major changes,” Choi said.

KCC is considered to have built a strong squad ahead of this season with the signing of outside free agents Choi Jun-yong and prospect Song Kyo-chang after returning from military service. The team will challenge for the title with existing players such as Lee Seung-hyun, Heo Woong, and Ragan-ah.

KCC head coach Jeon Chang-jin was previously the head coach of KT until March 2015. After eight years, he is back in Busan with the goal of winning a championship. 먹튀검증

Jeonju City, on the other hand, is strongly opposed to KCC’s move. Jeonju and KCC have been at odds over a number of issues, including a new gymnasium, and were unable to reach an agreement.

The city of Jeonju released a statement saying, “We deeply regret (KCC’s) hasty and unilateral decision,” adding, “KCC did not even notify us, let alone consult with us about the relocation. The time spent with citizens and fans was not on the minds of KCC, who pushed for the relocation in search of short-term profits,” the statement said.

“The demolition of KCC’s current home stadium, Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium, has been postponed until 2026, and the new home stadium and auxiliary stadium to be built in the Complex Sports Town are also planned to be completed by 2026,” he said, adding, “Despite having the conditions to fully settle in Jeonju, KCC unilaterally promoted the relocation as if it were a scripted move.”