Missouri to Propose Aid Package to Keep Chiefs and Royals
Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced plans to develop an aid package by the end of the year aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas. This comes as Kansas has approved a plan to finance up to 70% of the costs for new stadiums for the professional football and baseball teams.
"We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson stated, emphasizing the high stakes involved. "The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business."
The Chiefs and Royals have a long history in Kansas City, having played in side-by-side stadiums in the eastern part of the city for over 50 years. Currently, their stadium leases extend until 2031. However, Royals owner John Sherman has made it clear that the Royals will not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, increasing the urgency for a new arrangement.
Parson acknowledged the competitive nature of the situation and Kansas' efforts to attract the teams. "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."
Earlier this year, Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a sales tax proposition that would have provided funding for a new downtown ballpark district for the Royals, estimated to cost over $2 billion, and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. The rejection has left Missouri scrambling for alternative solutions to retain its storied franchises.
"Has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," Parson remarked, indicating that any proposed deal will need to balance fiscal responsibility with the goal of keeping the teams in the state.
While Parson has conveyed optimism about formulating a satisfactory plan by the end of the year, he does not anticipate calling a special legislative session before his term ends in January. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place" to propose for the stadiums, he asserted.
Consequently, whether Parson's administration can finalize the aid package within his remaining time in office is uncertain. Adding to this complexity is the Kansas Department of Commerce's indefinite timeline for finalizing their deal, further prolonging the uncertainty for both teams' future locations.
In a related development, Jacksonville, Florida, has approved a $1.25 billion stadium renovation plan for the NFL's Jaguars. The cost of that renovation will be split between the city and the team, setting a precedent for possible collaborative funding solutions in Kansas City.
As the clock ticks down on Parson's term, the pressure mounts to secure a deal that keeps the Chiefs and Royals rooted in Missouri. Whether it's a new stadium or incredible incentives, the coming months will be critical in determining the future of Kansas City's beloved sports institutions.