kt Manager Lee Kangchul Makes History... Biggest Contract Ever for a Pro Baseball Manager

Signing bonus of 1 billion won, annual salary of 800 million won, total of 3.4 billion won
Regular-season champions this year; fourth contract with kt alone
kt gives a "generous gift" ahead of the Korean Series

kt wiz manager Lee Kangchul has re-signed on the best terms ever offered to a manager in KBO League history.

On the 19th, kt announced, “We have signed a three-year contract with manager Lee Kangchul worth a total of 3.4 billion won.” The deal includes a 1 billion won signing bonus and an annual salary of 800 million won, both guaranteed. Lee’s new deal surpasses the terms given to LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yup, who signed a three-year contract worth 3 billion won ahead of this season. Lee has now signed his fourth contract with kt.

“The group and the club have given us generous support this year, which has helped us achieve good results,” Lee said. “I’m grateful that they have re-signed me on such favorable terms.” He added, “The season is not over yet, so I’ll work to finish it in an even stronger position,” and said, “I’ll continue to lead the team so that we can become a strong contender for the championship.”

Lee Kang-chul, manager of kt wiz, has signed a new contract on the best terms in the team's history. Courtesy of kt wiz.

Lee first signed with kt in October 2018, when he was a coach with the Doosan Bears, on a three-year contract worth a total of 1.2 billion won. In his second season after taking over, he led kt to its first-ever postseason appearance in the 2020 season, earning recognition for his managerial ability. kt then ended his existing contract early and re-signed him to a three-year deal worth a total of 2 billion won.

Lee developed kt into one of the league’s strongest teams. The club reached the postseason every year through the 2024 season and, notably, won its first-ever unified championship in 2021. In October 2023, kt signed Lee to another three-year contract worth a total of 2.4 billion won, then the best terms for an active manager.

Last season, kt failed to reach the postseason due to poor performances by its foreign players. This year, however, the team recorded 90 wins, 49 losses and five ties, with a winning percentage of .647, to win the regular-season title and advance directly to the Korean Series (KS). kt finalized the contract to give Lee and the team a boost ahead of the KS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.