Samsung Lions Win Ninth Title and Suwon Samsung Bluewings Return to K1

The Samsung Lions captured their ninth championship title on October 8 by defeating KT Wiz four games to one at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, according to mk.co.kr.

Manager Park Jin-man guided the squad to its championship since 2014. Captain Koo Ja-wook anchored the lineup alongside veteran contributors Choi Hyung-woo and Kang Min-ho, mk.co.kr reported.

“The player pool will further expand,” Park said according to mk.co.kr. “We will challenge for two consecutive championships.”

Suwon Samsung Bluewings secured promotion back to the K1 League on October 8 with a 2–0 victory against Yongin FC at Suwon World Cup Stadium, as reported by mk.co.kr.

The win secured at least second place in the K2 League standings, ending a three-year stint in the second tier. Manager Lee Jung-hyo overhauled the club’s operations after arriving from Gwangju FC, mk.co.kr noted.

“To ensure that a famous club like Suwon Samsung does not drop to the K2 League again, I will make tireless efforts,” Lee said according to mk.co.kr.

Seoul Samsung Thunders opened the 2026–2027 season with nine victories, the first time a professional basketball team has won every game in the first round, mk.co.kr reported.

Kim Sang-sik directed the turnaround, supported by foreign player Kerem Kanter, who averaged 26.8 points per first-round game, according to mk.co.kr. The club held a 10–2 record as of October 9.

Samsung Group transferred its various sports franchises to Cheil Planning beginning in 2014, shifting from heavy corporate spending to self-sustaining operations, mk.co.kr reported.

Samsung Lions finished ninth in 2016 and eighth in 2023, while Suwon Samsung was relegated in 2023, according to mk.co.kr.

Samsung Fire Bluefangs appointed Tommi Tiilikainen as head coach to end an eight-season streak of failing to reach the postseason, while Yongin Samsung Life Bloomings rely on Asian Games gold medalist Lee Hae-ran for the upcoming Women’s Korean Basketball League campaign, mk.co.kr stated.