Missouri and Kansas Jockey for Chiefs and Royals' Future
Missouri Governor Mike Parson is gearing up for a defining challenge: retaining the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. With Kansas having already greenlighted a financing scheme to cover up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums for both teams, the stakes have never been higher.
For over half a century, the Chiefs and Royals have shared side-by-side stadiums in eastern Kansas City. However, with leases set to expire in 2031, the upcoming years are crucial for deciding the future homes of these iconic franchises. Royals owner John Sherman has clearly stated that the team has no plans to remain at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, adding to the urgency of the situation.
This past April, Jackson County voters turned down a sales tax proposal aimed at supporting over $2 billion for a downtown ballpark district for the Royals. The proposal also intended to contribute to an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. Despite the setback, Governor Parson remains optimistic about finding a viable solution by the end of the year.
"We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson said. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place."
Any proposal to keep these teams in Missouri will need legislative approval, something that will depend on Parson's successor and the new legislative body. Parson, whose term concludes in January, does not foresee calling a special legislative session to address the issue beforehand.
He noted the importance of the financial burden being beneficial to Missouri taxpayers: "It has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri."
The complexity of the situation is underscored by Jacksonville’s recent $1.25 billion stadium renovation deal for the NFL's Jaguars, which evenly split costs between the city and the team. It serves as a point of comparison and a potential model for what Missouri might aim to achieve. However, time is of the essence, and the decisions made in the near term will have lasting impacts.
While Missouri prepares its game plan, discussions between the sports teams and the Kansas Department of Commerce could begin at any moment, although the department has not set a timeline for concluding any deals.
With these high-stakes negotiations, Parson is keenly aware of the importance of making a competitive offer. "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," Parson emphasized.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are not just sports teams; they are integral to the cultural and economic fabric of the region. "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business," Parson acknowledged. The coming months are set to be a defining period, as states compete to offer the best package to keep—or lure—these major franchises.
Fans, local governments, and the teams themselves are all watching closely, aware that whatever decision is made will shape the landscape of Kansas City sports for decades to come.