Actor Ken Jeong already was tied to Las Vegas through his role as Mr. Chow in the “The Hangover” movies. Now he has another connection to the city: a minority stake in the Athletics.
Team 61’s $70 million investment in the A’s, announced this summer, included a group featuring former MLB pitcher Chan Ho Park, BTS member Suga and Jeong.
Park, the first South Korean-born player in the major leagues, invited Jeong to join the investment group. Jeong said Wednesday night in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter that he has long been a baseball fan and roots for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But Park’s arrival in the majors made the sport more personal for him.
“For me and him to actually be friends and to talk to each other and he asked me to be part of his investment consortium, Team 61, I mean … how can I say no to Chan Ho Park?” Jeong said. “He is the first Korean MLB owner in history and for me to be a small part of this is really because of him.”
Before Team 61’s investment was announced, Jeong said, he and other members of the group traveled with A’s majority owner John Fisher and team president Marc Badain to Park’s hometown of Gongju, South Korea.
“We got to spend all weekend meeting (Park’s) amazing family, even his parents, and just getting to know not only Chan Ho the player, the legend, but Chan Ho the person,” Jeong said. “I really think that pilgrimage really impacted all of us. When we did our press announcement two or three days later, it was emotional.
“As a Korean, I’m just so proud to be a part of this in any way and I’m just so happy for Chan Ho, the Athletics and the City of Vegas, the house the Mr. Chow built, all of this makes sense.”
Asked how Mr. Chow might help recruit Las Vegas fans for the A’s, Jeong suggested a “Hangover” theme night, an appearance in character or a Mr. Chow bobblehead giveaway.
“I’m like the actual Chow bobblehead; I have a huge-ass head,” Jeong said. “It’s just going to bobble in Athletics stadium on the Strip.
“Come for the Chow, stay for the A’s. That’s what this is all about.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
