KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Kansas City Royals have rearranged the organization’s leadership on the non-baseball side of things.
Thursday, the Royals announced the hiring of Cullen Maxey as the organization’s new President of Business Operations. Maxey, who worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last two decades, will oversee all of the Royals’ departments outside of baseball operations.
“This is an opportunity and fit that I never would have dreamed of,” Maxey said in a release shared by the club. “The Royals are known throughout the industry for how much they care about the Kansas City region and their fans. Working with this homegrown ownership group that’s invested so much already with plans of doing even more to strengthen this community is an honor.”
“We believe that Cullen’s proven leadership and relevant experience will fit the organization strategically, operationally, and culturally,” said Royals owner John Sherman.
Brooks Sherman (no relation to John), who previously held the title, will now serve as the Royals’ President of Real Estate and Development. That move comes as the Royals continue their search for a new stadium location as their lease at the Truman Sports Complex approaches its 2030 expiration.
“This also allows Brooks to focus on our next home and the surrounding mixed-use development that will help define our future,” said John Sherman. “I’m grateful for Cullen’s trust and confidence and know that along with what J.J. Picollo is building in Baseball Operations, the Royals are moving in the right direction.”
Last week, the Royals said season-ticket holders and select fans who attended games were going to be sent a survey that included questions about potential sites for a new ballpark and surrounding development. Those options remain either in downtown/near downtown; North Kansas City in Clay County; or Overland Park, Kansas, in Johnson County.
During his time with the Diamondbacks, Maxey most recently was Arizona’s Executive Vice President of Business Operations & Chief Revenue Officer. In that role, Maxey oversaw the planning and construction of the Diamondbacks’ $200 million Salt River Fields Complex, coordinated the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, two World Baseball Classics and several brand evolutions.
The hiring comes as the Royals just announced that the club will continue broadcasting games on FanDuel Sports Network in 2026.
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