Missouri Governor Mike Parson is anticipating a decisive plan by the end of the year to retain the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals. This comes as neighboring Kansas has already approved a financial package to cover up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums to house both iconic sports franchises.
Shared History and Future Uncertainty
The Chiefs and Royals have been intertwined in the Kansas City area, both occupying neighboring stadiums in eastern Kansas City for over half a century. However, with their leases set to expire in 2031, the clock is ticking for decisions to be made about their future homes. Royals owner John Sherman has made it clear that the team will not be playing in Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, adding urgency to the situation.
In a recent setback for the Royals, Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax proposal in April that would have supported a more than $2 billion downtown ballpark district. This proposal also included an $800 million renovation plan for the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium.
Missouri's Legislative Hurdle
Any initiative from Missouri to retain these sports teams will require both legislative approval and the backing of Parson's successor as well as the new legislative body. Parson does not expect to call a special legislative session before his term concludes in January, further complicating the timeline.
"We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson stated. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place."
Competition Across State Lines
The stakes are high as Kansas has already taken a significant step forward, greenlighting a financing plan that would significantly cover the costs of new stadiums for the teams. Discussions between the sports teams and the Kansas Department of Commerce could begin at any moment, though the agency has set no definitive timeline for finalizing a deal.
Parson acknowledged the competitive nature of retaining the teams against Kansas' aggressive proposal. "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 said, adding, "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business." He further emphasized that any financial plan "has to work out on paper, where it’s going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri."
Lessons from Jacksonville
Missouri could look at Jacksonville's recent $1.25 billion stadium renovation deal for the NFL’s Jaguars as an example of a balanced approach. That deal splits costs evenly between the city and the team, offering a potential model for how Missouri could structure its own financial packages for the Chiefs and Royals.
As the year hastens to a close, all eyes will be on the Missouri legislative body, the new governor, and the stakeholders involved in these critical discussions. The outcome could have significant implications not just for the teams and their fans, but also for the economic landscape of Missouri and Kansas City.
While the anticipation builds, one thing remains clear: the retention of these iconic teams will require strategic planning, legislative support, and a favorable financial model that benefits both the franchises and the taxpayers.