Kansas City T-Bones Rebranding as Kansas City Monarchs

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The independent Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association will now be known as the Kansas City Monarchs in honor of the longest-running Negro League franchise. Per the Associated Press, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum signed a licensing agreement with the owner of the T-Bones, MaxFun Entertainment.

“We’re so thrilled and humbled to be here today and to have this honor of carrying on the Monarchs legacy is a dream come true for us,” owner Mark Brandmeyer told Fox 4 Kansas City. “I think it’s going to make a huge difference in Kansas City. The Monarchs are a historic brand.”

The new Kansas City Monarchs will continue play in the American Association, an MLB partner league. They have had several former big leaguers on their roster in recent years, including World Series champion Daniel Nava and four-year MLB vet Chris Colabello.

The original Monarchs were founded in 1920 and played until 1965. Monarch alumni include Ernie Banks, Satchel Paige, and Cool Papa Bell.