 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
Son Heung-min (33, LA FC) kicked the ball in the Chicago Fire match on the 10th (Korea time) into the hands of a sports card company.
Tops, which is producing sports cards including the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), Major League Baseball (MLB), the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA), and Formula 1, announced on the 19th that it has secured the copyright of exclusive commemorative cards using the MLS official ball that Son Heung-min kicked in the match against Chicago, and plans to produce only one limited edition card for each design.
The U.S. sports card market boasts a history of nearly 200 years. Prices vary widely depending on the release date, type, photo, and card status. Rare limited edition cards can be priced up to hundreds of millions of won. Honus Wagner's card, who played as a player and manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was selected as the first inductee of the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame, was sold for 3.9 billion won, drawing attention. In the 21st century, cards are being produced on various topics such as characters, movies, and cartoons beyond the sports field, and they have a considerable fandom in Korea.
 |
| ◇Photo source=탑스 SNS |
|
 |
| ◇photo source=LAFC homepage |
|
Both LA FC and MLS are eager to 'float Son Heung-min'. LA FC held a grand joining ceremony, inviting even local politicians. At the same time as joining the team, a uniform with Son Heung-min's name and back number 7 was also placed in the club's official store. On the club's website, Son Heung-min is at the forefront and season tickets are sold. The MLS secretariat is making sure to treat Son Heung-min as a star by releasing a video of his personal performance in the New England Revolution following the match against Chicago in which Son Heung-min played. U.S. local media are also participating in the atmosphere by focusing on Son Heung-min's performance.
Son's transfer fee is 파운드9.5 million (about KRW 36.5 billion) and his annual salary is 달러12 million (about KRW 16.6 billion). Not only LA FC but also the MLS Secretariat will support Son Heung-min's annual salary with a 'Special Additional Salary Budget'. Son's contract period is up to three and a half years if he invokes two extension options (1 year, 6 months) every two years. LA FC and MLS secretariat have to make profits beyond recovering up to 50 billion won in investment within this period. This is why Son Heung-min is marketing in all directions. The British newspaper GiveMissport reported that Tottenham earned at least 40 million pounds (about 74.9 billion won) annually from Son Heung-min. If this scale continues, LAFC and MLS secretariat are expected to make profits beyond the return of investments in a year.
There's already a 'Awesome' unfolding. Son Heung-min's uniform is sold out even though it has been less than 10 days since its release. Despite the away games against both Chicago and New England in which he participated, numerous Korean residents visited the stadium and realized the "Son Heung-min Power". Son Heung-min's ticket power is expected to reach its peak in the match against San Diego FC, which will be held at BMO Stadium, LA FC's home stadium, on the 31st.
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
