Quick Facts: Kansas City Royals
| Owner | John Sherman (Principal Owner & Chairman) |
| CEO / Leader | John Sherman (Chairman); J.J. Picollo (General Manager) |
| Founded | 1969, Kansas City, Missouri |
| Headquarters | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Stock Ticker | N/A |
| Publicly Traded | No |
Who Owns the Kansas City Royals?
The Kansas City Royals are owned by John Sherman, a Kansas City businessman who purchased the franchise in November 2019 for approximately $1 billion. Sherman led an investment group that acquired the team from the estate of longtime owner David Glass, who had owned the Royals since 2000 and passed away in January 2020, shortly after the sale was completed. The ownership transition brought fresh capital and renewed long-term commitment to keeping the franchise in Kansas City, a city where the Royals have played since their founding as an expansion team in 1969.
John Sherman’s path to sports ownership came through his career in energy — specifically midstream energy services. He co-founded Inergy, L.P., a propane distributor and midstream energy company, and served as its CEO. Inergy grew substantially and was eventually merged with Crestwood Midstream Partners in 2013, a transaction that generated significant wealth for Sherman. His investment group purchased the Royals with Sherman taking the role of chairman and principal owner, giving him decisive authority over the franchise’s direction.
The Royals are a privately held franchise with no public market for ownership shares. As a major league baseball team, the Royals benefit from MLB’s national television revenue sharing, which helps smaller-market franchises remain competitive even without the ticket revenue and media market advantages of teams in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Kauffman Stadium — one of the last single-sport baseball-only stadiums in the country — has been the team’s home since 1973, though discussions about a new ballpark for the Royals have been ongoing.
About John Sherman and the Royals’ History
John Sherman grew up in Kansas City and attended the University of Kansas. After building his fortune in energy through Inergy and Crestwood, he returned to his hometown in a new capacity — as steward of one of its most beloved sports institutions. Sherman’s ties to the community have shaped his ownership approach, emphasizing local investment, fan engagement, and long-term roster building through player development. He has spoken repeatedly about his commitment to winning a championship for Kansas City and keeping the Royals competitive in what has become an intensely competitive American League.
The Kansas City Royals have a proud history, having won two World Series championships — in 1985 (defeating the St. Louis Cardinals) and 2015 (defeating the New York Mets). The 2015 team, which featured players like Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain, was a national fan favorite for its blue-collar playing style and energetic fan base. New stadium discussions have gained momentum under Sherman’s ownership, with proposals for a downtown Kansas City ballpark that could anchor a broader development project.
Key Ownership Highlights
- John Sherman purchased the Kansas City Royals in November 2019 for approximately $1 billion, leading an investment group that acquired the team from the estate of longtime owner David Glass. Sherman serves as chairman and principal owner of the privately held franchise.
- Sherman built his wealth through Inergy, L.P., a midstream energy company he co-founded and led as CEO. The company’s merger with Crestwood Midstream Partners in 2013 was a transformative transaction that provided the capital base for his subsequent sports investment.
- The Royals have won two World Series championships — in 1985 (defeating the Cardinals in the all-Missouri “I-70 Series”) and in 2015 (defeating the Mets in five games after rallying from a 2–1 deficit). The 2015 title was the culmination of a remarkable run under manager Ned Yost that began with a Wild Card appearance in 2014.
- Kauffman Stadium, which opened in 1973 and is named after founding owner Ewing Kauffman, is one of MLB’s most beloved ballparks. Its fountains and waterfall features beyond the outfield wall are iconic. Discussions about building a new downtown stadium have been ongoing under Sherman’s ownership.
- J.J. Picollo serves as General Manager and has guided the Royals through a rebuilding period designed to develop young talent through the farm system. The franchise has prioritized draft picks and player development as the foundation for future competitiveness, following the pattern of their 2015 championship team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Kansas City Royals?
John Sherman is the chairman and principal owner of the Kansas City Royals. He purchased the franchise in 2019 for approximately $1 billion from the estate of previous owner David Glass. Sherman built his wealth through midstream energy companies, most notably Inergy, L.P.
Are the Kansas City Royals publicly traded?
No. The Kansas City Royals are a privately held Major League Baseball franchise with no publicly traded shares. The team is owned by John Sherman’s investment group.
When did the Royals last win the World Series?
The Kansas City Royals last won the World Series in 2015, defeating the New York Mets in five games. It was the franchise’s second championship, following their first title in 1985 over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Where do the Royals play?
The Kansas City Royals play at Kauffman Stadium, which has been their home since 1973. The stadium is named after founding owner Ewing Kauffman and is known for its signature fountains beyond the outfield wall. Plans for a new downtown Kansas City ballpark have been discussed under current owner John Sherman.
