The Highest Disciplinary Action Ever Taken By a Coach

Kim Seung-ki, head coach of Goyang Sono, a professional basketball team who verbally abused the coaching staff and staff of the opposing team, was punished with a penalty of 10 million won.

The Korea Basketball Federation (KBL) announced on the 24th that it held the 29th second financial committee at the KBL Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and imposed a 10 million won sanction on head coach Kim.

Coach Kim verbally abused the coaching staff, including the opposing team's coach Kim Joo-sung, in the hallway of the stadium shortly after the 2023-2024 regular league home game (91-99 loss) against Wonju DB on the 19th. Kwon Soon-cheol, the general manager of DB, approached the headquarters where the game supervisor was located and protested the referee's decision, expressing dissatisfaction as he thought the flow of the decision changed during the game. Head coach Kim also criticized Lee Heung-seop, secretary-general of DB, and argued with Kwon, who pointed it out.

According to the KBL, the penalty of 10 million won is the highest level of punishment received by a professional basketball coach. The KBL previously imposed the same amount of sanctions on Choi Hee-am, then head coach of Incheon Electronic Land (currently Daegu Korea Gas Corporation), who protested the referee's decision at a playoff press conference in the 2008-2009 season.

Immediately after the announcement of the disciplinary action, head coach Kim said on the club's social media, "As a coach of a team, I deeply apologize for my shameful behavior as a person who has to take the most responsibility," adding, "I bow down to the general manager of DB, team officials, and coaching staff and sincerely apologize."

KBL also imposed a fine of 2 million won on the general manager of DB. He thought it was inappropriate to visit the headquarters during the game even though he was not a member of the team, such as coach or Koe. 사설토토

This season, Sono and DB are also creating a new rivalry for foreign player Didrick Lawson. Lawson, who had been at Goyang Carrot, Sono's predecessor until last season, was not paid for two months due to the club's financial difficulties at the time, and changed his uniform to DB this season. Sono's power has weakened due to Lawson's departure, while DB is running at the top of the league with Lawson's joining.