Latest news with #TheAthletics
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
BTS' SUGA set to invest in MLB's The Athletics alongside baseball legend Park Chan Ho
It seems that since his military discharge, BTS member SUGA aka Min Yoongi has been finding meaningful ways to give back to society. After making a record-breaking donation of KRW 5 billion (approximately USD 3.64 million) to Severance Hospital in Seoul, he is now looking to dip his hands into American Major League Baseball (MLB). According to a several media reports on July 4 KST, the rapper is said to be joining forces with South Korean baseball legend Park Chan Ho as an investor in the MLB team The Athletics, formerly known as the Oakland Athletics. $70 million investment through private equity fund The investment will be made through a private equity vehicle founded by Park Chan Ho's sports management firm, Team 61, which has obtained a $70 million USD contract. The fund intends to purchase approximately 2-3% of freshly issued shares of The Athletics, directly supporting the team's stadium development project. Joining Park and SUGA in the fund are several other prominent figures, including Lee Man Deuk, president of Samchully Co., Ltd., and Mike Joo, Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America Merrill Lynch's investment banking division. The Athletics prepare for a new chapter in Las Vegas The Athletics, a renowned League Baseball organization founded in 1901 with nine World Series championships, are currently undergoing a dramatic transition. Under the ownership of American investor John Fisher, the team will relocate from Oakland to Las Vegas, Nevada, with a new stadium planned to open in 2028. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in late June, and efforts are currently underway to raise the estimated $1.75 billion required for the building. What will Park Chan Ho and SUGA bring to the table? With their investment, Park Chan Ho and SUGA are likely to become big stockholders. Park, the first South Korean to play in the MLB, may play an active role in the team's development, possibly by scouting or sponsoring Korean talent in the league. Meanwhile, SUGA's presence has spurred conjecture about potential promotional collaborations or global fan interaction, bringing new life to the team's rebranding efforts as they prepare for their Las Vegas debut. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Business
- Pink Villa
BTS' SUGA investing in MLB team after taking over basketball? All we know about plans for The Athletics involvement
BTS' SUGA is branching out beyond music, this time into the world of professional baseball. According to a July 4 report, the K-pop star is joining forces with Korean baseball legend Park Chan Ho. The duo is part of a major investment in the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, The Athletics. The team is currently in the process of relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas. Back in April 2023, the NBA officially named SUGA as a new ambassador for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. He's always known for his long-standing love of basketball. Now, it seems he's taking his passion for sports even further. The unexpected partnership has caught both sports and entertainment industries by surprise. It signals a bold new chapter for SUGA as he takes on a behind-the-scenes role in one of America's most historic baseball franchises. Investing in the future of Las Vegas baseball The Athletics, once based in Oakland since 1968, recently broke ground on a brand-new stadium in Las Vegas. It is set to open by 2028. The total construction cost is projected at 1.75 billion USD. The team is actively working to secure funding through new shareholders and private equity investment. Enter Team 61, a sports management agency founded by Park Chan Ho, the first South Korean to play in the MLB. The agency is reportedly leading a 70 million USD investment into The Athletics' stadium development by setting up a private equity fund. This fund will purchase around 2–3% of newly issued shares in the team. SUGA among star-studded list of investors Joining Park Chan Ho as co-investors are several high-profile names, including: SUGA (BTS) Lee Man Deuk, President of Samchully Co., Ltd. Mike Joo, COO of Bank of America Merrill Lynch's investment division This marks a rare crossover between global K-pop fame and American professional sports. It positions SUGA as one of the few Korean entertainers with a financial stake in a U.S. sports franchise. A new image for The Athletics? Despite its legacy, with 9 World Series titles since its founding in 1901, The Athletics has struggled in recent years. The team has faced challenges both competitively and financially. The move to Las Vegas is seen as a much-needed reset. And with it, comes a new roster of influential backers hoping to restore the team's image and relevance. Park Chan Ho's involvement has already raised hopes for potential Korean talent recruitment in the MLB. Meanwhile, SUGA's global star power could pave the way for international fan engagement and brand collaborations. What's next for SUGA and The Athletics? Neither SUGA nor Park Chan Ho have officially commented on their roles as investors. But fans and industry watchers are buzzing with speculation. Could this lead to K-pop-themed promotions, or even sports-culture crossover content? Will Park play a hands-on role in team strategy or scouting? With music charts conquered and world tours under his belt, SUGA is now stepping onto an entirely different field. And the pitch is just getting started!
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thoma,s Simone Biles and A'ja Wilson Nominated for 2025 ESPY Best Athlete
Now, four of the most well-known names in women's sports have a chance to take home one of this year's biggest awards, but only one can be named a champion. The nominees for the Women's Sports Best Athlete category of the 2025 ESPY award are Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and A'ja Wilson. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now All four women have been making headlines over the past year with record-breaking wins, improbable comebacks, and solid ESPY Awards are almost here and sports fans everywhere are looking forward to seeing who comes out victorious. All eyes are on July 16. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles and A'ja Wilson shine in 2024–25 Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is definitely on for 2025 since she ran in the first Grand Slam Track meet of 2025 in Kingston, Jamaica in April and won both the 400m hurdles and 400m flat. She also took home $100,000 in bonuses, and dropped the 400m hurdles in June she ran the 100m flat for the first time in Philadelphia and came in 2nd at 11.21. To cap off a very successful June, Gabby Thomas was named as first-time nominee for the 2025 ESPYS presented by ESPN on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, live from Los Angeles. v Gabby Thomas opened her 2025 season on March 29 at the Texas Relays (Austin, Texas) She checked out the men's 4x100m relay team that posted a meet best (41.74!) and won three golds in the 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay events at the 2024 Paris Games. Also to be nominated for Best Athlete - Women's Sports at the 2025 ESPYs is Geraldine Thomas who will see her join in with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Simone Biles and A'ja Wilson. Simone Biles did not compete yet in 2025, but at the 2024 Summer Olympics, she won three gold medals and one silver. Her legendary career earns her a spot among the nominees again this year. A'ja Wilson, a star of the Las Vegas Aces, was named the 2024 Kia WNBA MVP, marking her third MVP award. She is also up for Best Athlete – Women's Sports and could become the sixth athlete to win multiple ESPYs in that category. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on stepping up to the 100m dash Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, at Philadelphia in June 2025, stepped out of her usual events to run the 100m dash for the first time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In an interview with The Athletics, she explained it was different:'It's so ballistic… shooting out of the blocks… that doesn't exist in the 100m.' She said it was a big shift but helpful. The change shows how she keeps growing and trying new things—even outside her comfort zone. Voting for Best Athlete – Women's Sports is open now at The winner will be revealed during the ESPY Awards on Thursday, July 16, 2025, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Also Read:
Hamilton Spectator
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Luis Urías hits 2-run HR in 10th inning to help Athletics beat White Sox 3-2
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Luis Urías hit a two-run homer with one out in the 10th inning help the Athletics rally and beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Sunday in the rubber game of the series. Urías homered to left field on the first pitch he saw from Jordan Leasure (0-2) after JJ Bleday struck out to begin the inning with Jacob Wilson on second. The White Sox took a 2-1 lead off reliever Grant Holman (2-0) on a one-out single by Luis Robert Jr. Edgar Quero singled Robert to third but Andrew Vaughn grounded into a double play. Joshua Palacios led off the game against Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido with his first home run this season. Lawrence Butler led off with a single against White Sox opener Brandon Eisert and Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double to tie it after one. Davis Martin pitched six shutout innings for the White Sox after relieving Eisert to begin the second, allowing three hits and two walks. Cam Booser and Steven Wilson both threw a scoreless inning. Justin Sterner pitched a scoreless seventh for the Athletics and hasn't allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings. Tyler Ferguson yielded a walk and nothing else in the eighth and Mason Miller struck out the side in the ninth. Key moment Matt Thaiss greeted Athletics reliever T.J. McFarland with a double after Andrew Vaughn chased Bido with a one-out single in the sixth. Vaughn was caught in a rundown and tagged out on Lenyn Sosa's grounder with Thaiss advancing to third. Brooks Baldwin grounded out to end it. Key stat The Athletics had runners at first and third with one out in the third, but Martin struck out Shea Langeliers looking and Tyler Soderstrom swinging to end the threat. The Athletics didn't have a runner in scoring position from there until the 10th. Up next The Athletics have not named Monday's starter as they begin a seven-game road trip with the first of four against the Rangers. Texas will start LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, 3.77). RHP Bryse Wilson (0-0, 4.30) will start for the second time when the White Sox begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday with the first of three against the Brewers, who haven't announced a starter. ___ AP MLB:
San Francisco Chronicle
27-04-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Luis Urías hits 2-run HR in 10th inning to help Athletics beat White Sox 3-2
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Luis Urías hit a two-run homer with one out in the 10th inning help the Athletics rally and beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Sunday in the rubber game of the series. Urías homered to left field on the first pitch he saw from Jordan Leasure (0-2) after JJ Bleday struck out to begin the inning with Jacob Wilson on second. The White Sox took a 2-1 lead off reliever Grant Holman (2-0) on a one-out single by Luis Robert Jr. Edgar Quero singled Robert to third but Andrew Vaughn grounded into a double play. Joshua Palacios led off the game against Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido with his first home run this season. Lawrence Butler led off with a single against White Sox opener Brandon Eisert and Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double to tie it after one. Davis Martin pitched six shutout innings for the White Sox after relieving Eisert to begin the second, allowing three hits and two walks. Cam Booser and Steven Wilson both threw a scoreless inning. Justin Sterner pitched a scoreless seventh for the Athletics and hasn't allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings. Tyler Ferguson yielded a walk and nothing else in the eighth and Mason Miller struck out the side in the ninth. Matt Thaiss greeted Athletics reliever T.J. McFarland with a double after Andrew Vaughn chased Bido with a one-out single in the sixth. Vaughn was caught in a rundown and tagged out on Lenyn Sosa's grounder with Thaiss advancing to third. Brooks Baldwin grounded out to end it. Key stat The Athletics had runners at first and third with one out in the third, but Martin struck out Shea Langeliers looking and Tyler Soderstrom swinging to end the threat. The Athletics didn't have a runner in scoring position from there until the 10th. Up next The Athletics have not named Monday's starter as they begin a seven-game road trip with the first of four against the Rangers. Texas will start LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, 3.77). RHP Bryse Wilson (0-0, 4.30) will start for the second time when the White Sox begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday with the first of three against the Brewers, who haven't announced a starter.
