Missouri Governor Moves to Keep Chiefs and Royals in State
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has announced plans to formulate an aid package by the end of the year, aimed at preventing the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas. This move comes in response to Kansas’ approval of a plan to finance up to 70% of the cost for new stadiums for the professional football and baseball teams.
The Chiefs and Royals have a storied history in Kansas City, sharing side-by-side stadiums in the eastern part of the city for over 50 years. Both teams currently have leases running until 2031, but uncertainty looms as Royals owner John Sherman has made it clear that the team will not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season. This revelation has sparked urgency for Missouri to retain its beloved franchises.
Earlier this year, Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax proposal that would have funded a proposed $2 billion downtown ballpark district for the Royals and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium. Governor Parson has acknowledged the challenges but remains optimistic about crafting a competitive deal to keep the teams on Missouri soil.
"We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson stated.
Governor Parson acknowledged Kansas' strategic efforts but emphasized Missouri's determination to remain competitive. "Look, I can't blame Kansas for trying. 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 affirmed.
The significance of the Chiefs and Royals to the local economy and community cannot be understated. "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business," Parson said, underscoring the stakes involved in the negotiations.
However, Parson also emphasized the necessity of a feasible plan that would benefit Missouri taxpayers. "It has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," he said.
Parson, whose term concludes in January, does not anticipate calling a special legislative session before his departure from office. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful about establishing a proposal by the year's end. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place," he remarked.
The urgency to finalize a deal is compounded by developments in other cities, such as Jacksonville, Florida, where a $1.25 billion stadium renovation plan for the NFL's Jaguars was recently approved, with costs being split between the city and the team. This is a reminder that successful partnerships between municipalities and sports franchises can be achieved with mutual cooperation and shared investment.
Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Commerce has not set a timeline for finalizing any deal, leaving Kansas City, Missouri, and its sports fans in a state of uncertainty. As the clock ticks down on Parson's tenure, the focus now turns to what kind of proposals can be put forth to keep the Chiefs and Royals where they have been for decades.
In the coming months, sports fans and Missouri residents alike will be watching closely as negotiations unfold. The stakes are high, but Governor Parson's commitment to finding a competitive and beneficial solution demonstrates his dedication to the community and the iconic teams that call Kansas City home.