The Kansas City Royals’ neighbours are set to head across state lines.
Missouri’s Truman Sports Complex has hosted the Royals and Chiefs since 1973.
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Arrowhead stadium is a stone’s throw away from Kauffmann StadiumCredit: Getty
But both Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium have grown outdated in the era of multipurpose venues.
Missouri lawmakers were desperate to keep both teams and proposed a sales tax extension in April 2024 to fund a $2 billion downtown ballpark for the Royals and $800 million in renovations to the Arrowhead.
That was voted down by the public and Kansas has now launched an ambitious move to bring the Chiefs across state lines.
A legislative committee met Monday to discuss plans to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to a $4 billion domed stadium and entertainment district near The Legends — a commercial area in the Village West development.
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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced that the Chiefs will move to Kansas, closing the book on their Missouri tenure.
“We are announcing an agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas,” Kelly said.
“Kansas is not a flyover state. We are a touchdown state.”
The Royals’ situation will not be discussed in a clear confirmation of where the state’s priorities lie.
Prior to Monday’s meeting, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe was still confident of keeping both teams.
“He believes Missouri is the best home for both teams and continues working with the teams to make the right decision to grow and invest in the Show-Me State,” his communications director Gabby Picard said.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is determined to find the best outcome for both the NFL and MLB franchises.
“As the city and our Missouri partners continue discussions with our long-term partners at the Chiefs and the Royals, we remain steadfast in working toward an arrangement in the best interest of our community and the greatest success of our teams on and off the field,” he said.
The Chiefs are in a hurry to get a new home agreed with their lease expiring in 2030.
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The Royals have six years to find a new home
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The franchise is concerned that the location limits earning potentialCredit: Getty
Royals bosses, do not appear to be in such a rush, although a restructure of the leadership team yielded some results in November.
As the Chiefs pressed ahead with their domed arena, the 2015 World Series champions had failed to even identify a site.
Kansas City Royals yet to decide on new stadium location
Facing homelessness, the search has now been narrowed down to three options — downtown Kansas City, North Kansas City and Overland Park, Kansas.
The first two would see the team stay in Missouri, while the latter — already the subject of opposition from a local Mayor — would involve joining the Chiefs in Kansas.
Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman admits that any move will be ‘complex’.
“There’s no news to report about our stadium process,” he said.
“These are complex, multi-jurisdictional, public-private partnerships. They always take longer than any of us hope.
“They really should take a long time. This is a generational decision. But we’ve got to get it right.
“We’ve got to get it right for our club, for our fans, for the community.”
The Royals believe that their current ballpark, which has a capacity of under 38,000 limits the team’s potential to drive revenue and compete.
An estimated $2 billion will be spent on a new home.
Leawood Mayor Marc Elkins has already come out against the Overland Park option.
“The Royals have a long history of working to make Greater Kansas City a better place,” a team spokesperson said Tuesday evening. “As such, we are deeply committed to building a stadium environment that prioritizes the health, safety, and traffic concerns of our neighbors.
“Wherever we build our next generational home, the project will be guided by strong community collaboration. We pledge to create an unsurpassed fan and community experience, one that elevates our region and serves as a place of great regional pride for us all.”
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Work is being done on the field too with the Royals trading right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan to the Philadelphia Phillies for southpaw reliever Matt Strahm Friday.
The Chiefs’ motivations include the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl with the addition of a roof.