Louisville, Ky. – June 11, 2026 – The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) announced today that the Hillerich Family, owners of Hillerich & Bradsby Co., has been named the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.

Founded in 1963 and operated by the LSC since 2018, the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame recognizes athletes and sports figures who are Kentucky natives, as well as individuals who have participated in their respective sport or made a significant impact in a sport-related field in Kentucky. Hillerich & Bradsby, creator and manufacturer of Louisville Slugger®, was inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and is one of only three organizations ever selected for the Hall of Fame, along with Churchill Downs and Valhalla Golf Club.

This new partnership reflects a shared commitment to celebrating athletic excellence and preserving Kentucky’s rich sports heritage.

“Our family has had the privilege of serving some of the greatest athletes in sports history, from legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, and Ken Griffey Jr. to today’s stars,” said H&B board member and sixth-generation family member Andrew Clark. “We’ve been fortunate to witness how these athletes have inspired communities, broken barriers and left lasting legacies. We are honored to support the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame to celebrate that same spirit of excellence, leadership and impact here at home in Kentucky. For generations, our family has believed that great athletes leave a mark far beyond the playing field.”

The Hillerich family also created the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory® tourist attraction in downtown Louisville and have long been associated with recognizing achievement at the highest levels of sports. That includes its annual Silver Slugger Awards™, which are Major League Baseball’s highest offensive honor, and the annual Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Living Legend Award℠. The Hillerich Family’s ongoing philanthropic efforts reflect 170 years of community commitment dating back to the family’s first woodturning shop on the Ohio River.

“The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame exists to honor the individuals who have shaped the Commonwealth’s extraordinary sports legacy,” said Greg Fante, President & CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “The Hillerich family’s history of supporting athletics, celebrating achievement and investing in our community makes them the perfect presenting sponsor for the Hall of Fame. We are proud to partner with a family whose name is synonymous with sports history, both in Kentucky and across the country.”