By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The ownerless four-time Korean Series champion Hyundai Unicorns have found a final hope of continuing their history in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
The baseball governing body announced Friday after meeting with its board of directors that it has negotiated with three companies about selling the Unicorns on a condition of the team being based in Seoul.
``We cannot name those partners, but they are neither foreign companies nor Hyundai's affiliates,'' KBO secretary general Ha Il-sung said.
``Although the admission fee is not decided, it is higher than the amount KT was going to pay. Two sides are engaged in talks really actively, and the other is 50-50.''
KT announced last December it would acquire the Unicorns, based in Suwon, with a 6 billion won admission fee. Under the urgent KBO's protection, KT planned to move their home to Seoul without paying 5.6 billion won in compensation to the leagues current Seoul-based clubs, the Doosan Bears and LG Twins, which caused anger from the sides.
The two teams protested the governing body's unprincipled process in dealing with the Unicorns, and KT scrapped the plan.
In order not to repeat its gaffes in dealing with previous potential owners ― Nonghyup, STX and KT ― the KBO did not reveal its current negotiating partners to its council.
``To meet our requirements, we are really wary of choosing a finalist,'' Ha said. ``We will hold a board of directors meeting after deciding a company as soon as possible.''
Meanwhile, he expressed a negative reaction to the Unicorns' overseas training.
``In my opinion, it is a little bit late to go abroad to train, but we will toil to help the Unicorns prepare for this season,'' he said.