HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU TONIGHT AT NINE AND TEN. AND AS THE BOYS IN BLUE ARE GETTING READY FOR THAT GAME, WE ARE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS OUT OF JEFFERSON CITY. THE PLAN TO KEEP THE ROYALS AND CHIEFS IN THE SHOW-ME STATE TOOK ANOTHER CRUCIAL STEP FORWARD DURING TODAY’S MISSOURI SPECIAL SESSION. KMBC NINE MATT EVANS IS IN JEFF CITY. FOLLOWING THAT PROGRESS AND WHAT’S NEXT AFTER THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ADVANCED THAT PROPOSAL TO THE HOUSE FLOOR? IT NOW JUST HAS TWO MORE VOTES BEFORE HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK. IT’S VOTED TO PASS AFTER A 3.5 HOUR LONG HEARING, THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL 11 TO 2, WITH ONE REPRESENTATIVE VOTING PRESENT. IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR. I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO NOT TO COUNT CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH, BUT I DO FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT ABOUT IT, AND I’M EXCITED TO GET BACK TO KANSAS CITY AND WORK ON THE LOCAL PIECE OF THIS. KANSAS CITY COUNCILMAN WES ROGERS WAS ONE OF THE MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE THAT MADE THE TRIP TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE STATE FUNDING FOR UP TO 50% OF A STADIUM PROJECT FOR THE CHIEFS AND ROYALS. HE SAYS THIS OFFER COULD KEEP THE TEAMS FROM MOVING ACROSS THE STATE LINE OR OUT OF THE MARKET ENTIRELY UNTIL IT’S DONE. WE’VE GOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYTHING. I THINK THE TEAMS HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH, AND I THINK IF WE GIVE THEM A GOOD OFFER, I THINK THINGS WILL WORK OUT JUST FINE. BUT THAT OFFER IS NOT WITHOUT ITS DETRACTORS. THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE AND THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE ARE BEING HUSTLED BY TEAMS WHO DESPERATELY WANT TO CREATE A SENSE OF COMPETITION. THE CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK THE SHOW-ME INSTITUTE TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL, SAYING THE TEAMS WOULD LIKELY STAY IN MISSOURI EVEN WITHOUT THE STATE DOLLARS. I THINK MISSOURI AND KANSAS CITY AND JACKSON COUNTY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT WE’RE A GREAT PLACE TO INVEST, BUT WE’RE NOT GOING TO PAY YOU TO LOVE US. HOUSE LEADERS SAY THEY EXPECT TO TAKE UP THIS LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW MORNING. THEY BEGIN THEIR SESSION AT 10 A.M. IN JEFFERSON CITY. MATT EVANS KMBC NINE NEWS. AND
Missouri House sends stadium funding bill for Chiefs, Royals to governor’s desk
Updated: 10:04 PM UTC Jun 11, 2025
A bill that could keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri is now headed to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk after winning final approval in the state House on Wednesday.It was a 90-58 vote. It marks a major step in Missouri’s effort to retain its professional sports franchises amid competition from neighboring Kansas.The bill, previously passed by the Missouri Senate on June 5, includes the “Show-Me Sports Investment Act.”It allows professional sports teams to access state funds for stadium development through a bonding mechanism, provided the project costs at least $500 million and involves a Major League Baseball or NFL team.The state could cover up to 50% of a qualifying stadium’s cost.Supporters say the plan helps Missouri compete with Kansas, where a STAR bond program offering up to 70% funding for new stadiums is set to expire at the end of June.The decision to stay in Missouri or move to Kansas, or elsewhere, ultimately rests with the teams.Both franchises have said they are considering all options.With the proposal now passed at the state level, attention turns to what individual counties in Missouri may do.Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas previously said the bill improves the chances of a new Royals ballpark at Washington Square Park.He said local public funding could advance through city processes without a voter referendum, unlike the failed countywide sales tax vote in April 2024.On Wednesday, he issued this statement: “I commend Governor Kehoe for crafting legislation that will keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri for years to come. With passage in the Missouri legislature, Kansas City will continue its work with the Royals to build a robust and responsible area development and incentive plan to keep the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri—building on a generation of investment and growth in Downtown Kansas City. New, firm, and non-speculative Missouri state support matched with Kansas City’s own resources and unique experience among area local governments in large facility development of venues like CPKC Stadium, the Kansas City International Airport, and more, will allow Kansas City to move the long conversation on the future of local sports facilities to completion. Kansas City also will provide necessary assistance to the Chiefs, their landlord Jackson County, and Clay County to build a long-term future for Arrowhead Stadium, one of the finest football venues in the world, and practice venues that can spur more development opportunities for the team and our region.”Jackson County executive Frank White said the legislation can create an “equitable model” on investing on the sports teams. White’s full statement: “I applaud the Missouri General Assembly for advancing legislation that supports the future of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. I especially want to thank Governor Mike Kehoe for his leadership in making this progress possible. With the bill now headed to his desk, today marks an important step toward a more balanced and responsible approach to funding professional sports in our region. “For more than 50 years, Jackson County has been home to the Chiefs and Royals – two of the most iconic franchises in American sports. Today, we are investing more than $54 million each year to build, equip and maintain top-tier facilities for their benefit. These are extraordinary public resources, highlighting the significance of this investment and the responsibility it carries for our community. “But I must also be clear: Jackson County has shouldered not just the bulk, but nearly the entirety of public funding that supports these teams. That level of local responsibility is no longer sustainable or fair. This legislation creates the opportunity to build a more equitable model, where the investment is shared more broadly across the state and region. “As this process continues, I look forward to working with all stakeholders, including the Chiefs and Royals, to better understand their long-term plans and their commitment to remaining in Jackson County. Together, we can ensure our teams stay rooted here while delivering a fair and forward-looking deal for the people who have supported them for generations.”Clay County also remains a possibility for the Royals. Earlier in the session, lawmakers approved a bill allowing the county to form a sports complex authority.“We are especially grateful to Governor Kehoe for his leadership and hands-on engagement, and to Senators Nurrenbern and Gregory for their vision and tenacity in moving this legislation forward,” Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte said. “These tools provide a foundation for meaningful economic development, and we look forward to continued conversations with the Kansas City Royals about the possibilities for Clay County and the region.”
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —
A bill that could keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri is now headed to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk after winning final approval in the state House on Wednesday.
It was a 90-58 vote.
It marks a major step in Missouri’s effort to retain its professional sports franchises amid competition from neighboring Kansas.
The bill, previously passed by the Missouri Senate on June 5, includes the “Show-Me Sports Investment Act.”
It allows professional sports teams to access state funds for stadium development through a bonding mechanism, provided the project costs at least $500 million and involves a Major League Baseball or NFL team.
The state could cover up to 50% of a qualifying stadium’s cost.
Supporters say the plan helps Missouri compete with Kansas, where a STAR bond program offering up to 70% funding for new stadiums is set to expire at the end of June.
The decision to stay in Missouri or move to Kansas, or elsewhere, ultimately rests with the teams.
Both franchises have said they are considering all options.
With the proposal now passed at the state level, attention turns to what individual counties in Missouri may do.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas previously said the bill improves the chances of a new Royals ballpark at Washington Square Park.
He said local public funding could advance through city processes without a voter referendum, unlike the failed countywide sales tax vote in April 2024.
On Wednesday, he issued this statement:
“I commend Governor Kehoe for crafting legislation that will keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri for years to come. With passage in the Missouri legislature, Kansas City will continue its work with the Royals to build a robust and responsible area development and incentive plan to keep the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri—building on a generation of investment and growth in Downtown Kansas City. New, firm, and non-speculative Missouri state support matched with Kansas City’s own resources and unique experience among area local governments in large facility development of venues like CPKC Stadium, the Kansas City International Airport, and more, will allow Kansas City to move the long conversation on the future of local sports facilities to completion. Kansas City also will provide necessary assistance to the Chiefs, their landlord Jackson County, and Clay County to build a long-term future for Arrowhead Stadium, one of the finest football venues in the world, and practice venues that can spur more development opportunities for the team and our region.”
Jackson County executive Frank White said the legislation can create an “equitable model” on investing on the sports teams.
White’s full statement:
“I applaud the Missouri General Assembly for advancing legislation that supports the future of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. I especially want to thank Governor Mike Kehoe for his leadership in making this progress possible. With the bill now headed to his desk, today marks an important step toward a more balanced and responsible approach to funding professional sports in our region. “For more than 50 years, Jackson County has been home to the Chiefs and Royals – two of the most iconic franchises in American sports. Today, we are investing more than $54 million each year to build, equip and maintain top-tier facilities for their benefit. These are extraordinary public resources, highlighting the significance of this investment and the responsibility it carries for our community. “But I must also be clear: Jackson County has shouldered not just the bulk, but nearly the entirety of public funding that supports these teams. That level of local responsibility is no longer sustainable or fair. This legislation creates the opportunity to build a more equitable model, where the investment is shared more broadly across the state and region. “As this process continues, I look forward to working with all stakeholders, including the Chiefs and Royals, to better understand their long-term plans and their commitment to remaining in Jackson County. Together, we can ensure our teams stay rooted here while delivering a fair and forward-looking deal for the people who have supported them for generations.”
Clay County also remains a possibility for the Royals. Earlier in the session, lawmakers approved a bill allowing the county to form a sports complex authority.
“We are especially grateful to Governor Kehoe for his leadership and hands-on engagement, and to Senators Nurrenbern and Gregory for their vision and tenacity in moving this legislation forward,” Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte said. “These tools provide a foundation for meaningful economic development, and we look forward to continued conversations with the Kansas City Royals about the possibilities for Clay County and the region.”