Kansas lawmakers approve STAR Bonds extension for Chiefs, Royals

Kansas lawmakers voted to extend the deadline for the state’s STAR Bonds, giving the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals more time to work out stadium deals. The offer expired June 30, but the Legislative Coordinating Council met Monday to discuss an extension. The committee unanimously voted to extend the deadline, meaning the offer is technically good for another year, which was the only extension option in the bill language. The LCC set an arbitrary deadline, however, saying it will only consider finalizing proposals with teams until Dec. 31, 2025. This came after Chiefs President Mark Donovan penned a letter to the Kansas Legislature, requesting more time for the decision due to the “complexity and scale of the project.” The Chiefs said in the letter that they remained “fully committed” to the opportunity in Kansas. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson called for the special committee meeting, saying Donovan’s letter indicated “the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field.” If one or both teams move across state lines, the incentives would cover up to 70% of a new stadium’s cost. Missouri is still a contender. The Missouri General Assembly, during a special session, approved the Show-Me Sports Investment Act.The Missouri plan covers up to 50% of stadium construction costs for teams tied to Major League Baseball or the NFL, provided the project exceeds $500 million.

Kansas lawmakers voted to extend the deadline for the state’s STAR Bonds, giving the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals more time to work out stadium deals.

The offer expired June 30, but the Legislative Coordinating Council met Monday to discuss an extension.

The committee unanimously voted to extend the deadline, meaning the offer is technically good for another year, which was the only extension option in the bill language.

The LCC set an arbitrary deadline, however, saying it will only consider finalizing proposals with teams until Dec. 31, 2025.

This came after Chiefs President Mark Donovan penned a letter to the Kansas Legislature, requesting more time for the decision due to the “complexity and scale of the project.”

The Chiefs said in the letter that they remained “fully committed” to the opportunity in Kansas.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson called for the special committee meeting, saying Donovan’s letter indicated “the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field.”

If one or both teams move across state lines, the incentives would cover up to 70% of a new stadium’s cost.

Missouri is still a contender. The Missouri General Assembly, during a special session, approved the Show-Me Sports Investment Act.

The Missouri plan covers up to 50% of stadium construction costs for teams tied to Major League Baseball or the NFL, provided the project exceeds $500 million.