KBO TEAM ORDERED TO GIVE EX-PLAYER BACK PAY

A Seoul district court has ruled the Korea Baseball Organization’s LG Twins owes former player Hea-young Ma US$115,000 in overdue annual salary.


Ma signed a four-year contract with the Kia Tigers prior to the 2004 season, but was traded to the Twins following the 2005 campaign. He was injured shortly after the trade and sent to the minors before being dealt again, this time to the Lotte Giants in 2007. Ma retired after the 2008 season.

According to the Korea Times, the issue lies with LG’s decision to reduce Ma’s salary after his injury, which the club claims is its right under KBO rules allowing a player’s pay to be cut after a long-term injury. Ma’s claim was that his original contract with Kia made no mention of injuries or other health concerns that might affect his salary. The court ruled in Ma’s favor, but the Twins are appealing the decision.

Ma is now working as a sportscaster for the XSports cable TV network.