The brands are promotin’ some ball: KC businesses look to capitalize on Royals’ playoff return
October 2, 2024 | Olivia Mizelle
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon.
Click here to read the original story.
[divide]
The Kansas City Royals are back in the Major League Baseball postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015, and fans aren’t the only ones celebrating. Local businesses throughout the Kansas City area are hosting watch parties, promoting merchandise and cutting prices in honor of the Royals.
As the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series Tuesday, Kansas City businesses were busy publicizing baseball-themed promotions on social media.
Charlie Hooper’s Brookside Bar & Grille in Kansas City is part of the Royals Home Team Program, and it played Tuesday’s Wild Card games on its TVs. Both games took place during Charlie Hoopers’ happy hour, which includes a variety of drink specials.
View this post on Instagram
The Royals Home Team Program features a dozen Kansas City-area bars and restaurants that partner with the team as venues for game day viewing.
Another restaurant that rolled out a playoff promotion is Meat Mitch BBQ, which hosted watch parties for Tuesday’s games. In an Instagram post, the restaurant said it would be playing the game on all 20 of its HD TVs and serving game day specials and happy hour drinks.
View this post on Instagram
Price Chopper is one of the Royals’ local sponsors, and the supermarket chain posted Monday on social media that shoppers could earn 100 bonus rewards points for every run the Royals score in the playoffs, if they make a $25 purchase the following day.
View this post on Instagram
Price Chopper also offers “Steal a Deals” during the regular season, offering fans discounts depending on what game they attend and where they sit.
Local Kansas City clothing stores are also getting excited about the Royals’ recent success.
Made in KC, a local gift and apparel store, leaned into the fact that it has been nine years since the Royals have been in the postseason in its Instagram caption Monday.
View this post on Instagram
It promoted its updated Royals gear and encouraged fans to buy the apparel.
Charlie Hustle, a Kansas City sports apparel brand, announced on X that it is releasing a shirt that reads “Give It Everything You Got,” inspired by former Royals Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer — two stars of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team.
Blue October is here and we are excited to team up with KC legends, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, along with the @DigginDeepPod, to bring you the perfect shirt for playoff ball!
Shop Now->https://t.co/Z0yGYxJBbZ pic.twitter.com/wJZnF4ydNe
— Charlie Hustle (@CharlieHustleCo) September 30, 2024
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Ebb and flow: The Kansas City Startup Village by the numbers
Startland News created an infographic on the growth and shrinkage of the Kansas City Startup Village since its 2012 founding. Here’s a colorful interpretation of its ebb and flow, as presented by Startland’s Kat Hungerford. Read more about the KCSV’s history, successes and possible future here.
Shawnee passes tax measure to attract startups
A tax incentive program that aims to attract high-growth startups to the City of Shawnee unanimously passed a city vote, paving the way for firms to tap a variety of benefits to alleviate initial costs. The city council voted 8-0 on the “Startup Workforce Relocation and Expansion Program,” which aims to encourage job growth and…
Animal health firms can now apply for key Kansas City investor forum
The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor is now accepting applications for its eighth-annual investor forum that brings together the top decision makers in the animal health industry. The forum — set for Aug. 30 — will welcome dozens of venture capital organizations from around the world and offer animal health companies the chance to score…
‘I’ve been breaking bureaucracies for 24 years’ Kansas City’s new CIO opens up
There’s a new hand at the helm of Kansas City innovation, and it belongs to that of Bob Bennett. A 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Bennett kicked off his tenure as the second-ever chief innovation officer of the City of Kansas City, Mo. on Jan. 1, taking the lead on an array of civic…