Missouri's Governor Mike Parson has revealed plans to establish a comprehensive aid package by the year's end, aiming to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas. With Kansas approved to finance up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums, Missouri is under pressure to ensure the teams remain on their side of the border.
Stadium Scenarios
The Chiefs and Royals, both long-standing tenants of their adjacent stadiums in eastern Kansas City for over five decades, have leases stretching until 2031. However, the Royals' owner, John Sherman, has made it clear that the 2030 season will be the team’s final stint at Kauffman Stadium.
Earlier this year, efforts to secure funding for a new downtown ballpark district for the Royals and significant renovations for the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium faced a setback when Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax proposal aimed at generating over $2 billion for the projects.
Competitive Moves
In response to Kansas's aggressive financing offer, Parson emphasized Missouri's commitment to presenting a competitive package. "We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson stated, acknowledging Kansas's efforts while noting Missouri's determination to retain the franchises. "Look, I can't blame Kansas for trying. You know, if I was probably sitting there, I'd be doing the same thing. But at the end of the day, we're going to be competitive," he added.
Parson underscored the significance of keeping the teams in Missouri, stating, "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business." He also noted the need for any proposed plan to be financially viable. "Has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," Parson remarked.
Urgency and Challenges
Despite the urgency, Parson acknowledged potential constraints in his term, which concludes in January. He expressed doubt about convening a special legislative session before his departure. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place" to propose for the stadiums, Parson asserted, projecting confidence in the state's ability to formulate an attractive offer.
The Kansas Department of Commerce, on the other hand, has yet to establish a definitive timeline for finalizing their deal, leaving an opening for Missouri's planned counteroffer.
Comparative Development
In contrast to the uncertainties facing Missouri and Kansas, Jacksonville, Florida, recently achieved a breakthrough with the approval of a $1.25 billion renovation plan for the Jaguars' stadium. The costs for this project will be evenly split between the city and the team, serving as a notable example of successful public-private partnership in professional sports infrastructure development.
As the situation continues to develop, fans and stakeholders in Missouri await the state's proposal, hoping it will be robust enough to secure the futures of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals within their longstanding home state.