`When Will Be the Game against Kia?`

`Lee, Jongbum Impact` was revealed to be much larger than anticipated.

Since the game against SK on August 2, there were 9 games where Lee Jong-Buk played in Korea. Out of these games, the admission tickets in 4 games were sold out. The total number of spectators in the 9 games was 141,595. The average number of spectators in a game was 15,732, which is 2.7 times larger than the season average number of spectators, 5,675.

Although Lee Jong-Bum had 2,000 – 3,000 consistent fans during Haitai affiliation, his comeback attracted much more fans, which now reaches 10,000 per game. It is unbelievable for one star player to attract more than 10,000 spectators in a domestic sports event. The number is clear evidence how powerful his influence is.

In particular, during the weekend 3 games in Seoul, there were 86,533 spectators in Jamsil Stadium. On August 11 and 12, consecutive sold-outs took place for the first time during this season when the stadium was filled at its maximum capacity.

Kia, which enjoys the `Lee Jong-Bum effect`, had more home spectators than last year, which increased to 184 percent explosively.

The team earnings through the 9 games from admission were 609,397,600 won. Lee Jong-Bum may be now called the `golden egg-producing goose`. Thus, each team is looking forward to its home game against Kia, attracting the spectators. Although such trend may vanish shortly, Lee Jong-Bum`s influence is expected to be dominant for the time being, based on his 9 game hitting streak with up-rising mood and potentially predicting Kia`s postseason games.

Kim Sang-Soo ssoo@donga.com