Local businesses generating green from KC Current teal gear
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - With less than 48 hours away from one of the biggest matches in Kansas City Current history, local businesses and vendors are seeing their gear flying off the shelf again.
The team’s color scheme of red, navy, and teal is eye-catching as people stop into local shops like Charlie Hustle, Made in KC, Rally House, and plenty more across the Kansas City Metro.
The teal color is the target for success for the KC Current leadership to stand out when thinking about Red Friday for the Chiefs or the navy color being comparable to the Royals. It’s “Teal Time” in KC and the leadership is emphasizing that when thinking of creative ways to sell gear and goods.
“We are stepping up to add our name to the list of champions from Kansas City -- it’s ‘Teal Time,‘“ said KC Current Vice President of Marketing Jocelyn Monroe. ”It’s time to get your teal out, to cheer for the teal on the pitch, and then wear your teal and support the team throughout the campaign.”
Monroe started her career working at Madison Square Garden with an arena football team that led to an occupation with the game operations crew for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. She’d then go on to work with Coca-Cola’s sports marketing group, CAA Sports, and another agency before finding her role now with the KC Current.
She’s one of the leaders spearheading the ‘Teal Time’ charge and emphasizing the significance of having a women’s sports team at the forefront in Kansas City.
“Great to work on the men’s side, great to experience. They have leagues and teams that have a long history and there’s a lot to be learned there but to be a part of something like that’s going to move, not just women’s sports, but the sports industry forward generationally, is amazing,” she said.
Fans are doing just that as the gear on shelves isn’t staying for long before being checked out and placed in a bag to go.
“The coolest thing is the buzz started and it didn’t stop, so it’s just continuing,” said Made in KC General Manager Kari Lindner. “A lot of friendship bracelets and things to accessorize with, hats and stuff, we sell out of it as soon as we get it so if you see something as you’re watching this come and get it pretty quickly because it may not be here [Saturday].”
KC Current long sleeves, crew necks, and hats are very popular at the Rally House at the Country Club Plaza. Rally House Assistant Manager Bradley Kitsmiller said Current fans have consistently stopped by to purchase gear all season long.
“On game days, we are really busy. I love seeing the buzz of the people coming in for Current games,” he said.
The team store connected to the only women’s sports stadium in the world is also an advantage in generating revenue for the team according to Monroe. Especially when comparing it to what other National Women’s Soccer League teams have to produce and then sell across the country. The team store experienced one of the team’s five best-selling days this season at last week’s home playoff match.
“We had new things coming in, we had our ‘Teal Time’ merch coming in, we had a ton of Temwa Chawinga gear and as her popularity grows, people really wanted to invest in things and buy things that have her name, her kit, or t-shirt with her on it,” said Monroe.
One day closer to the NWSL playoff match as Current players are currently in Orlando, Florida preparing.
Monroe is staying optimistic about Sunday’s match, hoping for a victory that will lead to a home NWSL Championship match at CPKC Stadium. That would only help their case to get all eyes on KC, baby.
She said they are thinking about more creative ways, collaborations, and more initiatives now to capitalize and enhance the fan experience if they play for the championship next week right now.
“One of our owners says, ‘What we’re doing here can not be unseen’ and it’s so, very true. We’ve set the standard for how women’s professional sports teams should be treated,” said Monroe.
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