Missouri's Strategic Play to Keep Chiefs and Royals Home
In a move to retain two of Missouri’s most cherished sports franchises, Governor Mike Parson has announced that the state aims to present an aid package by the end of the year to prevent the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas. This development comes in response to Kansas’s recently unveiled plan to fund up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums to entice the professional football and baseball teams across state lines.
The Chiefs and Royals, who have shared their side-by-side stadiums in eastern Kansas City for over five decades, are now at a critical juncture. With the stadium leases set to expire in 2031, the stakes couldn't be higher. Royals owner John Sherman has already made it clear that the team has no intentions of playing at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, putting additional pressure on Missouri to act swiftly and decisively.
Earlier efforts to secure funding for stadium upgrades hit a snag when Jackson County voters turned down a sales tax proposal in April. This proposal aimed to fund a more than $2 billion downtown ballpark district for the Royals and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium. The rejection has left a significant gap in the plans to modernize these aging facilities, fueling concerns about the teams' futures in Missouri.
Governor Parson's goal is clear: devise a compelling financial package that will convince both franchises to stay put. "We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson asserted, emphasizing the importance of crafting a competitive proposal despite the obstacles. He acknowledged that Kansas’s aggressive strategy is not surprising but reiterated Missouri's determination to come out on top. "Look, I can't blame Kansas for trying... But at the end of the day, we're going to be competitive."
Parson's term is set to end in January, and while he is committed to laying the groundwork for this initiative, he does not foresee calling a special legislative session before his departure. The plan’s finalization will likely fall to his successor, underscoring the need for a seamless transition in leadership to maintain momentum.
The urgency of the situation is palpable. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place" to propose for the stadiums, Parson projected, highlighting the ticking clock. The Kansas Department of Commerce, on the other hand, has not yet set a timeline for finalizing their deal, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.
The financial and emotional stakes for Missouri are enormous. "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business," Parson remarked, pointing to the significant economic and cultural impact these teams have on the region. Any proposed solution must not only be attractive to the franchises but also justifiable to Missouri taxpayers. "Has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," Parson emphasized, acknowledging the delicate balance required to achieve a successful outcome.
Elsewhere in the sports world, similar stadium funding dynamics are playing out. Just this week, a $1.25 billion stadium renovation plan for the Jacksonville Jaguars was approved in Florida, with costs shared between the city and the team. This example underscores the growing trend of public-private partnerships in the realm of professional sports infrastructure, and it may serve as a potential model for Missouri’s efforts.
As the clock ticks down on Parson's term and the stadium leases, the spotlight is firmly on Missouri’s legislative and economic leadership. The state’s next moves will be crucial in determining whether the Chiefs and Royals remain iconic fixtures in Kansas City or become the latest franchises to seek greener pastures elsewhere.