Royals partner with KC-linked CBD brand to tout health benefits of hemp for athletes
June 6, 2023 | Startland News Staff
As an entrepreneur who grew up in Kansas City, teaming up with the Kansas City Royals to promote high-quality CBD products is a dream come true, said Dan Huerter, CEO of Pure Spectrum CBD.
“To be able to work with such an iconic organization and to be a part of promoting health and wellness in my hometown community is an incredible honor,” said Huerter. “We are excited to make a positive impact in the community starting with the launch of this partnership as well as a sponsorship of last weekend’s Big Slick event.”
Pure Spectrum — an organic phytocannabinoid company headquartered in Evergreen, Colorado — emphasizes helping athletes and other professionals safely reach peak performance with CBD products. It now joins the short list of such companies to partner with a professional baseball team. The Royals pairing is only the second in the league, following the April announcement of a Chicago Cubs deal with Mynd Drinks.
Click here to learn more about Pure Spectrum CBD.
“Our partnership with the Royals represents a monumental step forward for the entire industry and illustrates just how far we’ve come,” Lenexa-based Huerter said.
Pure Spectrum and the Royals plan to focus on educating fans about their Endocannabinoid Systems and the potential benefits of CBD for overall wellness, the organizations said.
The partnership includes a variety of in-stadium and community elements. It began June 2 with the grand opening of the Pure Spectrum Lodge, the newest element of the Outfield Experience at Kauffman Stadium. Equipped with fans and misters, the space is designed to give fans a place to relax and watch the game while learning about the positive effects of CBD.
Pure Spectrum served as the presenting partner of Yoga Day June 4 at the K, and is set to be the presenting partner of Ag Night Aug. 1.

Yoga Day at the K sponsored by Pure Spectrum CBD at Kauffman Stadium; photo by Jason Hanna/ Kansas City Royals
“The Kansas City Royals are proud to be just the second MLB team to form a partnership with a company like Pure Spectrum,” said Sarah Tourville, executive vice president, chief commercial and community impact officer of the Kansas City Royals. “For this organization, this opportunity gives us a chance to support a brand with Kansas City ties and to educate the community on the benefits of CBD.”
Pure Spectrum was the first CBD company to partner with a major sports organization when it sponsored the CrossFit Games in 2018. It continued to push boundaries for CBD hemp when it became the first company in the industry to partner with U.S. Olympic Governing bodies, USA Triathlon and USA Weightlifting.
The company’s cannabidiol oil 1250mg tincture recently became NSF Certified for Sport, part of the requirements laid out by MLB.
In 2022, MLB became the first major professional sports league to partner with a CBD company, paving the way for teams across the country.

2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Lula bets on responsible growth to hit profitability; why the startup’s most valuable property is room to scale
Lula opened 2025 by announcing a hefty funding round; the momentum has only continued to build, founder Bo Lais shared. On top of its $28 million Series A round in early February, the Kansas City-based proptech startup expanded to more than 50 markets nationwide and had eight straight months of record gross merchandise value and…
World Cup hosts launch KC Game Plan for entrepreneurs; heat map, cultural insights on global visitors warming up next
Kansas City boasts no better roster of ambassadors than the region’s small business owners, said Tracy Whelpley, announcing a new KC2026 “Game Plan” for entrepreneurs who are eager to put cleats to streets ahead of the incoming FIFA World Cup. “There’s so many entrepreneurial people out there and they really represent what our community is…
Just funded: Trio of startups join Digital Sandbox KC, emerging onto competitive innovation scene
Not only will proof-of-concept funding from one of Kansas City’s most pivotal startup supporters help CEO Gharib Gharibi rapidly iterate development of his company, the Archia founder said; Digital Sandbox KC connects him to a thriving local tech ecosystem at a crucial inflection point for his artificial intelligence-based solutions. “We are excited to leverage both…
Check out the entrepreneur winners of this library pitch competition (and beyond-the-shelf resources)
Overwhelmed and excited to make a bigger impact, Rasheedah Villarreal expressed joy and gratitude Thursday after her name was announced as the top winner among a wide-ranging catalog of entrepreneurs pitching for cash prizes, community support, and serious momentum. Her business, Social Emotional Yoga with Mrs. V, also earned “Crowd Favorite” honors, sending the founder…

