After 29 years, the Kansas City Royals pushed this season as far as baseball allows, all the way to game seven of the World Series. Businesses all over the metro showed support by wearing Royals gear, hosting company watch parties, hanging Royals signs, and turning their buildings into blue-lighted billboards.
Although we cannot yet quantify the economic impact of the World Series in Kansas City, our affection for the Royals garnered national media attention and put Kansas City on the map in a new way. Our city is glowing with civic pride. We turned the city blue, encouraged people to do their best in taking care of out-of-town visitors, saw local restaurants offering food discounts based on pricing from 1985 (the last time the Royals were in the World Series), and welcomed friendly banter with the City of San Francisco.
Visit KC team showing their Royals Spirit
We’ve seen stories of people attending games they never dreamed they would see because of the good will of generous Royals’ players, neighbors and even their employers. Gary Quint, director of Kansas City-based wireless communications company Commenco Inc., said one of his employees won two dugout box seats and a parking pass after accurately predicting a series of game outcomes. Quint said he issued the challenge to the company’s 50 employees after the Royals won the second game of the World Series, asking them to predict the winner of the sixth game, the total amount of runs scored by the Royals, and the collective amount of runs scored through six games. The winner accurately predicted all. Below is the photo he sent from his seat at the game.
The Kansas City Business Journal also asked local companies to submit photos of how they were showing their “Royal” pride. They had so many responses that they broke it up into a four part series. (links to all four series photos are at the bottom of this post.)
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
“We can’t thank them enough for the support,” said Eric Hosmer, first baseman with the Kansas City Royals, in a story reported in the Kansas City Star. “They had our backs the whole, entire way. This whole city came together and really put Kansas City back on the map (for baseball).”
In an appearance at Union Station before game seven, Kansas City Mayor Sly James showed up decked out in a blue bowtie and matching Kansas City Royals hat to show support for the boys in blue. “You can’t buy this kind of pride,” James said.
Photo credit: KCUR
Companies across the metro took the opportunity to bond over baseball with employees, many swapping out business attire for Royals gear and decorating offices with blue lighting and Royals swag. Local bakeries were booming as companies placed large orders of Royals cookies, cakes, candies and cupcakes for office watch parties and treats for clients and vendors.
Andre’s hand-made Swiss chocolates – andreschocolates.com
So what was the economic impact of the World Series in Kansas City?
Only time will tell. We know for sure that the Royals brought our community together this year in ways we could not have planned. They gave our local businesses an unexpected financial boost that could eventually help them grow, create more products or services and hire more people. The World Series was so much more than a series of baseball games. It has ignited a feeling of pride and loyalty in our citizens that is positively contagious and that is something we can build on.
Thank you to all of the businesses who went out of their way to show the nation who we are. Our Kansas City Royals have left us with memories that will last forever and even more excitement about what’s to come next year. As far as our hearts go, they have taken the crown.
#KCProud #GoRoyals
Links to KC Business Journal Series – Area Businesses Show Off Royals Pride
Photos from series one
Photos from series two
Photos from series three
Photos from series four