Sports Partnerships
Jan 17, 2023
4 Minute Read

Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through sports partnerships

Since 1938, Blue KC has been a teammate of the Kansas City community, providing health coverage to more than one million residents. Uniting with our city’s professional sports teams, we are now able to impact an even greater swath of our community by offering championship-caliber programs, many of which focus on normalizing behavioral health conversations. Take a look at the highlights from 2022.

Royals’ partnership

Shut Out the Stigma This program aims to eliminate the stigma around behavioral health and bring awareness and normalize this important conversation. Blue KC donated $30 each time a Royals pitcher recorded a shutout inning during the 2022 season. For those counting, that’s 986 shutout innings. In total, Blue KC donated nearly $30,000 to six behavioral health organizations in our community.

Coaches with Character Blue KC teamed up with the “C” You In The Major Leagues Foundation to recognize six Blue KC Coaches with Character during the 2022 Royals’ season. The program spotlights high school coaches who are helping to grow youth sports. At a year-end celebration, the coaches met Royals owner and CEO John Sherman and George Brett. As a tribute to each coach, their names and stories will be displayed on Kauffman Stadium pillars inside Gate D. Know a coach deserving of a nomination? Complete the nomination form for the 2023 season.

Royals Owner and CEO John Sherman with 2022 Coaches with Character honorees. Top row: Stu Reece, Rob James, Donnell Fletcher. Bottom row: Erin Nathan, John Sherman, Susan Mayberry.

Hometown Heroes Blue KC values and appreciates first responders. Hometown Heroes is a community program honoring those heroes who serve our Kansas City community. Ten first responders were recognized during the 2022 Royals season. One Hometown Hero, Sarah “Smiley” Nauser, served her community as a KCPD officer for eight years before her ALS diagnosis. As she fights the disease and advocates for others with ALS, Sarah radiates positivity in Kansas City and beyond. Watch Sarah’s story.

Sporting KC partnership

Blue KC Sporting Samaritans highlights students and teachers who make the KC community a better place to live, work, and play. Eight individuals who made significant impacts in the classroom were recognized during pregame festivities at 2022 Sporting KC home matches. Former Sporting KC and U.S. Men’s National Team defender Matt Besler, who first participated in the program in 2016, served as the program’s ambassador. You, too, can help have an impact. Nominate a student or teacher for Blue KC Sporting Samaritans.

KC Current partnership

As a founding partner of the KC Current, Blue KC has used this platform to extend the focus on behavioral health in the community. Our newest initiative with the 2022 NWSL championship runner-up is Sideline the Stigma, which promotes resources to decrease the stigma around mental health. The initiative kicked off November 12 with an event in partnership with Synergy Services and Current players. Approximately 75 youth attended the event in the Northland. In another partnership highlight, Blue KC was the presenting sponsor of the Pride Night match. Proceeds from ticket pack sales generated nearly $10,000, which were donated to Our Spot KC and KC Care Health Center.

Follow Blue KC’s sports partnerships

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with our sports partnership programs and activities.

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