Royals announce gaming partnership with KC’s premier esports org: We share the same DNA
March 27, 2023 | Startland News Staff
The Kansas City Royals on Monday announced a partnership with one of the fastest-growing esports organizations in North America: the Kansas City Pioneers.
Among the first partnerships of its kind in the MLB, the move represents an opportunity to connect two passionate fan bases — baseball fans and fans of gaming, the Royals said in a partnership announcement.
“We share a lot of the same DNA. A love of competition. A love of our city. And a genuine passion for bringing innovative experiences to our fans,” said Tony Snethen, vice president of brand innovation for the Royals, ahead of the team’s March 30 opening day.
The Pioneers — one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 — is an entertainment, media and gaming organization. Its players compete in top-tier esports at professional levels in Rocket League, Apex Legends, eNASCAR iRacing with content creators in dozens of other titles.
Click here to learn more about the Kansas City Pioneers.
Members of the KC Pioneers during an April 2022 Pioneers bootcamp at Kauffman Stadium
Mark Josey, Kansas City Pioneers
Last season, the Royals and Pioneers hosted an event at Kauffman Stadium where some of the best esports teams in the world came together to prep for the HALO Championship Series Tournament that took place in Kansas City, according to the Royals. At the time, it was one of the first partnerships between an MLB team and an esports team.
This season, the Royals and the Pioneers will look to build on the success with a Gamer Night activation at the K, Community initiatives, and more, added Mark Josey, CEO of the KC Pioneers.
”Partnering on world-class events, like we did last season, that really connect new experiences to fans of traditional sports and gaming here in the Midwest is very exciting,” said Josey. “Merging new and existing audiences in engaging ways, whether through interacting with streaming content and events or sitting on the first base line, that is truly the future, and we could not be happier to partner with the Royals to help lead the way and cheer us on as the home team.”
Click here to follow the Kansas City Pioneers on Instagram.
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Fund me KC: Beer Paws
Startland News is kicking off a new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com Who: Crystal K. Wiebe,…
Events Preview: Learn to code, Startup Grind
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Coding & Cocktails When: October 10 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Women are invited to attend sessions to get…
90 on the Clock with Cremalab
90 on the Clock with Cremalab By John McGrath, KCPT, and Bobby Burch, Startland News Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the third episode in the five-part series. With a team of sharp, trendily-dressed bohemians, Cremalab is where speed meets creative dynamism. The…
3 local startups advance in national pitch bout
Three startups from Kansas are among the semifinalists in a competition to snag $10,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Kauffman Foundation’s One in a Million contest announced Wednesday 15 semifinalists from 12 states. Semifinalists will travel to Kansas City during Global Entrepreneurship Week for a chance to become one of five finalists for…