HD Hyundai Sports, which expanded the scope of the domestic professional soccer industry and presented a "new revenue model" for the sports industry, won the 2025 Korea Sports Industry Award.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Chae Hwi-young, hereinafter MCST) held the "21st Korea Sports Industry Awards ceremony" on the 11th at the Seoul Olympic Parktel and presented a total of eight commendations to organizations, corporations and individuals who contributed to the development of the sports industry. The ceremony was attended by Kim Dae-hyeon, MCST vice minister.
Since 2005 the MCST has held the awards annually to promote the sports industry and boost morale among workers. This year's commendations include one presidential commendation, one prime ministerial commendation and six Minister's commendations from the MCST.
The presidential commendation, the grand prize, went to HD Hyundai Sports. HD Hyundai Sports collaborated with GS25 to open club-specific stores and implemented pop-up store operations with The Hyundai, showcasing innovative marketing strategies that connect everyday consumption and sports.
Through this, HD Hyundai Sports achieved annual sales exceeding 10 billion won, and it was highly praised for significantly contributing to enhancing K League's global competitiveness through international strategic partnerships with Germany's Bundesliga and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.
The prime ministerial commendation, the top prize, went to KT Sports. KT Sports used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to build an "AI stadium" at Suwon KT Wiz Park.
KT Sports used this to analyze stadium congestion and safety situations in real time and provide the information on the scoreboard, developed an English app for foreign spectators, and presented a technology convergence model befitting the "era of 12 million professional baseball spectators."
In the MCST Minister's commendation category for outstanding professional sports teams, E-Land Group Sports and Jeju SK FC were selected.
E-Land Group Sports achieved about a 120% average increase in attendance over the past three years through fan-centered service innovations such as building an integrated fan data management system and adding premium seating.
Jeju SK produced eco-friendly uniforms using recycled plastic yarn and uniforms with a Jeju 4·3 memorial camellia patch, and set up the K League's first pet-friendly zone (PET ZONE), showing a model of operations that integrates regional value and ESG (environmental, social and governance).
In the outstanding local government category, Tongyeong City, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jecheon City, Chungcheongbuk-do, were selected and received MCST Minister's commendations.
Tongyeong City became the first small local city to host major professional tournaments such as the professional basketball (KOVO) cup and the men's professional basketball (KBL) cup, contributing to city brand enhancement and tourism revitalization through sports.
Jecheon City succeeded in attracting more than 100 events as of 2024 and in particular established its status as a "four-seasons sports event city" by hosting the 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the Asian roller skating championships.
In addition, Sports Island was selected as an outstanding corporation (Minister's commendation), and Kim Min-cheol, a professor in the department of sports industry at Chosun University, received a merit award (Minister's commendation) for contributions to the development of the regional sports industry, including attracting the Pepper Savings Bank professional volleyball team.
Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyeon emphasized, "The sports industry is a future core growth industry that is responsible for the public's healthy life and leisure while creating jobs and added value. This year's awardees are the protagonists who have led innovation in the sports industry on the ground."
He added, "The MCST will spare no multifaceted support, such as assistance for global market entry, expansion of finance and investment, and strengthening corporations' capabilities by growth stage, so that the sports industry can take another leap forward."
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