Missouri Races Against Time to Retain Chiefs and Royals
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has expressed optimism that an aid plan will be in place by the end of the year to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state. The urgency stems from Kansas offering a substantial financing scheme that covers up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums for the beloved sports teams.
For over 50 years, the Chiefs and Royals have shared neighboring stadiums in eastern Kansas City. However, with leases expiring in 2031 and Royals owner John Sherman’s declaration that the team does not intend to continue playing in Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the pressure is on to find a viable solution. Adding to the urgency, Jackson County residents in April rejected a sales tax proposal intended to support a more than $2 billion downtown ballpark district for the Royals and contribute to an $800 million makeover of the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium.
Gov. Parson is clear about the stakes and the competition at hand. "We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," he said. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place."
Parson does not expect to call a special legislative session before his term ends in January, indicating that any proposal to retain the Chiefs and Royals will need the support of his successor and the new legislative body. "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 stated, acknowledging Kansas' aggressive measures to secure the teams.
Seeing the financial heft involved in such deals, the stakes are understandably high. Jacksonville's recent $1.25 billion stadium renovation deal for the NFL's Jaguars, which splits costs between the city and the team, serves as a pertinent example of the kind of financial commitments required. "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business," Parson emphasized, underscoring the economic impact of retaining these teams.
While discussions between the sports teams and the Kansas Department of Commerce could start at any moment, the agency has set no definite timeline for completing a deal. Meanwhile, Missouri's proposal will need to balance competitiveness with fiscal responsibility. "Has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," Parson added.
The unfolding developments suggest complex negotiations ahead, with both states vying for the economic and cultural benefits brought by the presence of these major league teams. With time ticking away and neighboring Kansas showing no signs of slowing down, Missouri's path to securing long-term deals for the Chiefs and Royals remains steeped in high stakes and deep pockets.