Kansas lawmakers recently approved a plan to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals across the border from Missouri by authorizing state bonds to finance new stadiums and practice facilities for both teams. Governor Laura Kelly stated that the bipartisan effort to invite the teams to Kansas shows a commitment to keeping them in the Kansas City metro area. The move is seen as an opportunity for Kansas to become a professional sports powerhouse, with the Chiefs and Royals potentially joining Sporting KC as major league attractions. The plan comes after Missouri voters refused to continue a local sales tax used to finance the upkeep of the teams’ stadiums.
Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas pledged to lay out a plan to keep both teams in the city, emphasizing that this move was largely about leverage. Under the approved plan, state bonds would cover up to 70% of the cost of each new stadium, with the debt being paid off over 30 years through revenue from sports betting, state lottery ticket sales, and new sales and alcohol taxes from entertainment districts built around the stadiums. Both the Chiefs and Royals expressed support for the legislation, with the Chiefs stating that they look forward to exploring the options provided by the new legislation and the Royals affirming their commitment to prioritizing the best interests of their fans, associates, and taxpayers.
The approval of the plan was part of a two-month push by Kansas lawmakers to take advantage of Missouri’s decision to no longer fund the maintenance of the teams’ stadiums through a local sales tax. The move is seen as an economic development opportunity for Kansas, with the potential for new jobs, visitors, and revenues to boost the state’s economy. Kansas now has the chance to become a hub for professional sports with the addition of the Chiefs and Royals, enhancing the state’s entertainment offerings and attracting more revenue to the area. Mayor Lucas believes that the teams are in a strong leverage position, and the approved plan aims to provide a pragmatic tool for achieving economic development goals.
The legislation to lure the Chiefs and the Royals to Kansas was met with support from both teams, who appreciated being consulted and included in the process. The Chiefs commended the Kansas Legislature for passing the legislation during a special session and expressed eagerness to explore the options provided. Similarly, the Royals thanked the Kansas Legislature for their bipartisan action and commitment to economic development goals. The statement indicates that the Royals will prioritize the interests of their fans, associates, and taxpayers as they evaluate potential future locations for playing baseball. Overall, the move to attract the teams to Kansas is seen as a proactive step towards enhancing the state’s sports and entertainment landscape while boosting the economy through new revenue streams and job opportunities.
