In the dynamic landscape of the Korean Basketball League (KBL), cities are continually being reshaped by the movement of major teams. A wave of relocations has transformed the KBL over recent years, and Busan is the latest city to be impacted.
Only two years after the KT Sonicboom left Busan for Suwon in Gyeonggi Province, Busan is set to welcome another top-tier basketball team. The decision comes after the KBL witnessed other significant relocations in 2021: the KT Sonicboom’s move and the acquisition of Incheon ET Land Elephants by Korea Gas Corp, subsequently relocating them to Daegu.
The latest in these shifts is the relocation of KCC Egis, set to make Busan its new home. KCC Egis will be playing its home games at the Sajik Gymnasium, a venue previously used by the KT Sonicboom. This same gymnasium currently serves as the home base for BNK Sum, a leading women’s professional basketball team in Busan. An agreement has been reached for the KCC Egis to share the venue with BNK Sum, a move signifying collaboration and unity in the realm of basketball in Busan.
KCC Egis’ Team Manager, Choi Hyung-gil, opened up about the challenges faced in Jeonju, their original home city. “We’d been patient and tried to solve them smoothly, but the situation became increasingly unbearable,” Choi lamented about the escalating issues. He further pleaded for “deep understanding and cooperation” in light of the difficulty in revealing all factors behind their monumental decision.
Choi expressed his profound gratitude towards their loyal fan base in Jeonju, acknowledging their unwavering support over the last 22 years. “We feel the most sorry for the Jeonju fans,” he admitted. Extending his apologies further, he stated, “We also apologize for any inconvenience caused to the KBL and other teams.”
With a renewed vigor, KCC Egis is determined to carve a new path in Busan. Choi expressed hope for the team’s future, “With this decision, we aim to be a new team that contributes to the overall development of Korean basketball.” The transition marks a new chapter for the team, Busan, and the entire KBL as they look ahead to a future filled with promise and growth.
