Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday unveiled a new proposal aimed at keeping both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. The proposed “Show Me Sports Investment Act” would allow professional sports teams to access state funding for stadium development through a new bonding mechanism. To qualify, projects must cost at least $500 million and involve stadiums with seating for more than 30,000 people.Under the plan, Missouri would cover up to 50% of total stadium costs. Teams would also be eligible for a tax credit of up to 10% of their investment.”Governor Kehoe has been working for months to develop a competitive package to keep both the Royals and the Chiefs in Missouri where they belong,” the governor’s office said in a statement. “He views these projects as important economic development retention projects. Since the first days of the administration, Governor Kehoe has had many conversations with both teams, legislators, and community leaders on how to make this happen.”The legislation includes an annual legislative review, a required local contribution, and a claw back provision if a team relocates its stadium, headquarters, or training facility out of state. Kehoe’s plan would allow the Chiefs to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and/or the Royals to build a new stadium in Missouri. Downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City are potential spots for the new Royals’ stadium. According to a 2023 study from the Chiefs cited by the governor’s office, Arrowhead Stadium generates $28.8 million in annual tax revenue for Missouri and supports 4,590 jobs in Jackson County. The study also claims the Chiefs generate $572.3 million in local economic activity. In a similar study from the Royals, the team estimates that a new ballpark district would support 8,400 jobs and provide $440 million in annual labor income. The team projects the district would generate $1.2 billion in annual economic output.Kehoe said that while the state’s role is critical, local governments must also be committed to keeping the teams.”Local support will be critical to keeping the teams in Missouri,” his office said. “The state’s role is critical, but no more so than the locals who must also be committed to finding solutions.” The Missouri House of Representatives approved the funding bill on Tuesday. “The House today demonstrated Missouri’s strong commitment to keeping the Royals and Chiefs in our state for many decades to come,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune said. “These teams are vital parts of Kansas City’s culture and their loss would be a blow to the local psyche and economy. SB 80 strikes a fair balance between providing incentives for the teams to stay while ensuring taxpayers are repaid should they ever depart.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday unveiled a new proposal aimed at keeping both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri.

The proposed “Show Me Sports Investment Act” would allow professional sports teams to access state funding for stadium development through a new bonding mechanism.

To qualify, projects must cost at least $500 million and involve stadiums with seating for more than 30,000 people.

Under the plan, Missouri would cover up to 50% of total stadium costs.

Teams would also be eligible for a tax credit of up to 10% of their investment.

“Governor Kehoe has been working for months to develop a competitive package to keep both the Royals and the Chiefs in Missouri where they belong,” the governor’s office said in a statement. “He views these projects as important economic development retention projects. Since the first days of the administration, Governor Kehoe has had many conversations with both teams, legislators, and community leaders on how to make this happen.”

The legislation includes an annual legislative review, a required local contribution, and a claw back provision if a team relocates its stadium, headquarters, or training facility out of state.

Kehoe’s plan would allow the Chiefs to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and/or the Royals to build a new stadium in Missouri.

Downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City are potential spots for the new Royals’ stadium.

According to a 2023 study from the Chiefs cited by the governor’s office, Arrowhead Stadium generates $28.8 million in annual tax revenue for Missouri and supports 4,590 jobs in Jackson County. The study also claims the Chiefs generate $572.3 million in local economic activity.

In a similar study from the Royals, the team estimates that a new ballpark district would support 8,400 jobs and provide $440 million in annual labor income.

The team projects the district would generate $1.2 billion in annual economic output.

Kehoe said that while the state’s role is critical, local governments must also be committed to keeping the teams.

“Local support will be critical to keeping the teams in Missouri,” his office said. “The state’s role is critical, but no more so than the locals who must also be committed to finding solutions.”

The Missouri House of Representatives approved the funding bill on Tuesday.

“The House today demonstrated Missouri’s strong commitment to keeping the Royals and Chiefs in our state for many decades to come,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune said. “These teams are vital parts of Kansas City’s culture and their loss would be a blow to the local psyche and economy. SB 80 strikes a fair balance between providing incentives for the teams to stay while ensuring taxpayers are repaid should they ever depart.”