Sporting KC Opens Pop-up Retail and Event Space in Time for Black Friday
Sporting KC has launched a pop-up retail and event space, SportingStudio, in downtown Kansas City’s Power & Light District, just in time for Black Friday and the club’s playoff push. The space will remain open until February, with a few special events scheduled, including the club’s 2024 jersey reveal before next season.
SportingStudio: A Strategic Location and Timely Opening
SportingStudio’s opening is perfectly timed for the holiday shopping season and the club’s unexpected MLS Cup playoff run. After winning a play-in game against the Earthquakes to qualify for the postseason, the eighth-seeded Sporting eliminated rival St. Louis City SC in the first round, setting up a Western Conference semifinal meeting on November 26 against Dynamo. Regardless of the outcome, SportingStudio “captures a handful of moments throughout the winter and offseason to keep us front of mind,” said Sporting KC CRO Gregg Allen.
Offering Unique Products and an Innovative Space
SportingStudio is the club’s first retail and event space located outside of its stadium or training center. This allows the club to offer around 30 SKUs that it wouldn’t sell at Children’s Mercy Park, like skateboard decks or a tabletop soccer game, because they’re too large to carry around after buying at a match. Sporting KC’s retail business is handled in-house, led by Director of Retail, Thomas Earle. He, along with some of the club’s marketing staff, designed the aesthetic and layout of the pop-up shop.
Allen mentioned that Earle is “very entrepreneurial, brings ideas to us frequently,” which the team can act on because it controls its retail business. SportingStudio is an example of the ability to move quickly; the deal between Sporting KC and Power & Light District came together in a matter of weeks. Allen said Sporting KC and Cordish were able to strike a short-term lease “where the club and Cordish Companies both see significant upside from the success of SportingStudio.”
A History of Collaboration Between Sporting KC and Power & Light District
Sporting KC and Power & Light District first worked together in 2010 when the club hosted World Cup watch parties in the district. Former Sporting KC EVP of Stadium and Brand Revenue, John Moncke, is president of the Power & Light District, which is owned by Cordish Companies. Sporting KC also has a sports bar and social lounge in the Power & Light District called No Other Pub.
Conclusion: A Promising Venture for Sporting KC and the Power & Light District
The timely opening of SportingStudio in the Power & Light District not only caters to the holiday shopping season but also capitalizes on Sporting KC’s playoff momentum. This innovative retail and event space offers unique products and experiences for fans while showcasing the club’s entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability. With a history of collaboration between Sporting KC and the Power & Light District, this pop-up venture is poised for success and could potentially pave the way for similar projects in the future.
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