Why won't Tsai Chi-chang seek reappointment?

He emphasizes institutional integrity and neutral succession, avoiding political favoritism.

What are CPBL's next major goals?

Defending the 2027 Premier12 title and winning a medal at the 2028 LA Olympics.

How does politics affect CPBL?

Political figures influence leadership, but teams prioritize autonomy and resist overreach.

How has CPBL attendance changed?

Average attendance surpassed 10,000 under Tsai, marking a historic revival in fan engagement.

What criteria will shape the next president selection?

Professionalism and neutrality over political ties, with team consensus as the key factor.

Behind the Scenes: Will Someone 'Face Off Directly' with Lai Qingde? CPBL Teams Aren't That Keen on the 'Top-Down Preferred' Candidate for League President

Published Sep 10, 2026 9:20 AM ・ Updated Sep 10, 2026 10:21 AM ・ 4 min read ・ Source: PR Times

CPBL President Tsai Chi-chang will step down after his term ends in March 2027, despite strong appeals from all six teams to stay. He insists on respecting institutional rules, paving the way for a leadership transition amid rising political interest.

The Nagoya Asian Games will kick off on September 19. In 2027, Taiwan's national baseball team, having won the previous championship, will aim to defend its title at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Premier12. Additionally, baseball will return as an official event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Amid these developments, Tsai Chi-chang, leader of the DPP caucus in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan and serving his second term as president of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), will complete his tenure by the end of March 2027. Although all six CPBL teams have actively urged him to stay and proposed various reappointment plans, Tsai has clearly stated he will respect institutional norms and step down upon term completion, returning to the role of a fan.

With Tsai's departure confirmed, figures within the DPP are already positioning themselves to succeed him. During his more than five years as CPBL president, Tsai has driven significant progress: restoring the league to a six-team structure, amending the Sports Industry Development Act, securing a NT$300 million budget for stadium upgrades, and pushing average attendance past 10,000—the highest in league history. In 2025, when Taiwan won the WBSC Premier12 championship, Tsai organized the largest-ever support team for the national squad. A team insider noted that under Tsai’s leadership, the CPBL independently raised funds and moved into a new office, revitalizing the league after years of stagnation—key reasons why all six teams are keen to retain him.

Despite this, Tsai remains firm on stepping down, emphasizing institutional integrity. His departure opens a political contest within the DPP, but the final decision rests with the team owners. The succession process will test whether the CPBL can maintain autonomy from political influence, especially as speculation grows over whether the next president will be a 'top leadership favorite'—a notion some teams are reportedly skeptical of. The upcoming leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Taiwan’s professional baseball governance.

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Source: PR Times
Category: 人事

Behind the Scenes: Will Someone 'Face Off Directly' with Lai Qingde? CPBL Teams Aren't That Keen on the 'Top-Down Preferred' Candidate for League President

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