Royals sponsoring free admission to Negro Leagues Museum throughout February

KANSAS CITY – In a move that has become tradition and a large success throughout the community, the Kansas City Royals Foundation will once again sponsor free admission to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for the entire month of February.

This is the fifth consecutive year the Royals have covered the cost of admission to the NLBM. They began it as a way to honor Black History Month in February and drive supporters to the museum, and it’s grown in support every year since. The initiative is just one of several the Royals do to support the NLBM throughout the calendar year.

The NLBM is the world’s only national museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of African-American baseball and its impact on America. It was established in 1990 and resides in the heart of Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District – just two blocks from the Paseo YMCA, where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League in 1920. The Negro Leagues is as much a part of baseball history in Kansas City as anything, and the NLBM offers a place to learn about and embrace that history.

“We can’t thank the Kansas City Royals and The Royals Foundation enough for once again opening the doors of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum free of charge for the entire month of February and we look forward to seeing the turnstiles spinning,” NLBM president Bob Kendrick said in a statement. “This impactful community outreach initiative makes the museum more accessible for students, particularly those from underserved communities, while also encouraging more people to visit where they have an opportunity to learn about and be inspired by courageous athletes who overcame tremendous social adversity to play the game they loved.”

According to the Royals, more than 50,000 people have visited the NLBM since Free February began in 2022. That amounts to more than $435,000 that the Kansas City Royals Foundation has contributed to the NLBM.

“It’s something that we’ve done, and it’s kind of a no-brainer,” Royals CEO/chairman John Sherman said Saturday at Royals Rally. “That institution – we think it’s an important story that needs to be told, far and wide. And it’s a pretty simple thing for us to do. It’s also something that we’ve gotten incredibly great feedback for doing that, and we’ve been able to drive attendance to the museum, too.

“We’re also obviously invested in that neighborhood, with the Urban Youth Academy, and we’re interested in helping the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with their expansion. Helping them drive attendance to it just seems like the right thing to do.”

The NLBM’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Tuesday through Saturday, but it will hold extended hours during February, opening its doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. On Wednesdays, it will open at 9 a.m.