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
Real estate tech firm RealQuantum moving from bootcamp to LaunchKC stage
Lacking the sex appeal of tech and other high-growth, super-charged industries, the world of commercial real estate is ripe for change, said Jeff Weiner. LaunchKC competitor RealQuantum is ready to modernize that landscape, he said. “Serving a critical need that doesn’t really get a lot of attention is a really smart place to be and…
ShotTracker benchmark: KC tech gets waiver to be used courtside by coaches at Hall of Fame Classic
A score in the basket of history, Merriam-based ShotTracker has landed another monumental first, the company announced Tuesday, further positioning it as a leader in the Kansas City tech space. “ShotTracker is proud to drive this next stage of growth in college basketball,” Davyeon Ross, co-founder and COO said of the company’s latest NCAA collaboration…
Sprint Accelerator founder teases plans for ‘innovation district’ to fill Jazz-to-Crossroads gap
Kevin McGinnis sees potential in the creativity gap along the 18th Street corridor that connects the Jazz and Crossroads Arts districts, he said. The former Sprint executive and founder of the Sprint Accelerator teased plans Tuesday for a collaborative innovation district that could bridge societal gaps and further develop community in the startup ecosystem. “I’m…
Techweek KC taps into thirst for community at Boulevard kickoff party (Photos)
Revelers networking Monday night at a kickoff party for Techweek Kansas City were so lost in conversation that they frequently had to be reminded of the open bar available to them at Boulevard Beer Hall. The evening event capped the first day of Techweek KC programming, which ran the gamut from a KC Mayoral Tech…

