WPBL CEO Removed Investor From League Board
Keith Stein ousted Mina Kim from the WPBL board as the league seeks to dismiss a pending legal dispute.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Softball
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WPBL CEO Keith Stein has removed Mina Kim, the league's largest investor, from the board of directors. The league is now filing a motion to dismiss a legal case Kim brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Why it matters
Under Delaware law, investors must hold a board seat to access league books and records, a move Stein claims was designed to prevent excessive influence. The removal follows Kim's rejection of a $600,000 settlement offer to drop her lawsuit against the organization.
CEO Keith Stein retains approximately 65% ownership of the league, with his own initial investment totaling $225,000. Mina Kim remains the largest investor with $500,000 total contributed to the organization.
The players
Keith Stein
He is the CEO of the WPBL who currently holds a majority ownership stake in the league.
Mina Kim
She is the largest investor in the WPBL who initiated a legal challenge in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Delaware Court of Chancery
This is the specialized court venue overseeing the legal dispute between the league and its investor.
Dave Stewart
He is a newly appointed member joining the board of directors following recent leadership changes.
Andreas Kloppenborg
He is a former member of the WPBL board who has recently departed the organization.
The details
The WPBL also announced that board member Andreas Kloppenborg has departed, with Dave Stewart appointed to the board. The league plans to form an independent audit committee and undergo an audit by a national accounting firm to address transparency concerns.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Mina Kim filed a books and records request.
September 16, 2026: A confidential brief regarding the $600,000 offer was filed.
September 21, 2026: The original trial date was set for the legal case.
September 24, 2026: A redacted public brief was filed on the court docket.
September 30, 2026: Keith Stein removed Mina Kim from the board.
The Big Picture
This dispute follows the precedents set by Delaware General Corporation Law regarding books and records access for shareholders. The board removal serves as a strategic maneuver to alter the plaintiff's standing in current litigation.
The legal outcome will determine if the league must open its financial books to the primary investor. These structural changes to the board directly affect the future decision-making power of those holding equity in the WPBL.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of board governance in managing shareholder relations for startups. Investors should clearly define their rights to information and records in early-stage agreements to avoid lengthy legal battles.
Further reading
For additional context on league governance, visit the Softball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Front Office Sports.
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