KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – What started as an idea for a new Royals stadium in 2022 has devolved into a years-long struggle within the Jackson County Legislature and ultimately a Kansas/Missouri border battle over the Chiefs. After all this time, it seems at least half of this fight has come to an end as the Chiefs announce their move to Kansas.
Those in-tune with the stadium negotiations will remember that the conversation started exclusively with the Royals and Kauffman Stadium, but has now pivoted almost entirely to the Chiefs and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Given the entrenchment of both teams, both states, the Jackson County Legislature and many other major players in the years since, the timeline isn’t complete without a history of both.
The early days
Dec. 13, 2022: Back in late 2022, the Royals begin floating ideas for a $2 billion ballpark in downtown Kansas City. They argue that Kauffman, built in the early 70s, will be nearly 60 years old by the time its lease is up in 2030.
Jan. 31, 2023: The Royals say they’ve narrowed their options from 14 to five stadium location options.
Jul. 25, 2023: Five is reduced to two. The Royals promise that in September, they will announce their final decision between a new ballpark district in North Kansas City (Clay County) or the East Village in downtown Kansas City (Jackson County).
In late September, this promise is retracted. The Royals issue a statement saying they needed “more clarity” on their plans.
Lead up to April 2, 2024, special election vote
Dec. 14, 2023: The Jackson County legislature begins to discuss putting the now-infamous 3/8-cent sales tax on the April 2, 2024, special election ballot. It would be a 40-year extension of an existing tax that incentivizes both the Chiefs and the Royals to stay in the county.
This is among the first times the Chiefs are brought into the discussion.
Jan. 5, 2024: The Chiefs and Royals issue a joint statement, saying that if Jackson County voters agree to the 3/8-cent sales tax, they will renovate Arrowhead and relocate the Royals to downtown Kansas City.
This is the first time the Royals publicly declare a final stadium decision, and they are met with opposition from neighbors and existing business owners who say the planned site will destroy what they have worked to build in the Crossroads.
There is also scrutiny over what feels like a rushed decision, as the declaration comes just over two weeks before the Jan. 22 deadline for Jackson County legislators to finalize any April ballot measures. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. responds to it with hesitation, saying nothing has been finalized:
“As we navigate these crucial negotiations involving potential commitments of billions of taxpayer dollars, I want to make it abundantly clear: I have not, and will not, rush into any agreement,” White said in a statement.
Jan. 8, 2024: The Jackson County Legislature passes a measure to put the 3/8-cent sales tax vote, or stadium sales tax ordinance, on the April ballot.
Jan. 18, 2024: White vetoes the stadium sales tax ordinance. The Chiefs and Royals respond with a joint statement:
“We respect the County Executive’s veto authority. We will continue working with the legislators to ensure that this ordinance is on the ballot on April 2 so that Jackson County voters have the opportunity to decide on the extension of the current 3/8-cent sales tax.”
Jan. 22, 2024: Jackson County Legislature votes 7-2 to override White’s veto. The Chiefs and Royal thank the legislature in a post on X.
Meanwhile, public opinion of a downtown ballpark appears to be mostly opposed.
Downtown ballpark anxiety grows
Feb. 28, 2024: Chiefs unveil renderings for $800 million renovation of Arrowhead if the stadium sales tax ordinance passes.
Mar. 29, 2024: Chiefs owner Clark Hunt sends a message to Jackson County voters in the final days before the special election, reiterating the team’s commitment to the area.
“My father once called Arrowhead his ‘favorite place on earth.’ For so many families in Jackson County, it has been a symbol of civic pride, meaningful memories, and championship football. We hope you’ll join us as we plan to make Arrowhead Stadium home for a new generation of Chiefs fans.”
Election Day and its fallout
Missouri Governor Mike Parson poses with the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVII and LVIII Lombardi trophies at the Missouri State Capitol on June 27, 2024.(Office of Gov. Mike Parson)
Apr. 2, 2024: Jackson County issues a resounding “no,” with 58 percent of voters opposing the stadium sales tax ordinance.
The Chiefs and Royals concede their loss and vow to return to the drawing board alongside local leaders who are optimistic that a future agreement can be reached.
On the side, Marny Sherman, wife of Royals owner John Sherman, posts on Facebook that negotiations with Jackson County are over and “We will be lucky if both teams wind up in Kansas.”
Apr. 30, 2024: Within weeks of the ordinance’s failure, whispers that the teams, particularly the Chiefs, could move to Kansas begin to gain traction.
The move would require the use of a Sales Tax and Revenue Bond, better known as a STAR Bond. A STAR Bond is a financing tool allowing Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects.
FULL EXPLANATION: What are STAR Bonds and how do they work?
In response to the murmurings, then-Missouri Governor Mike Parson brings the discussion to the state level, saying, “We will do everything we can to keep them.”
Attention shifts toward Chiefs
Decorations adorn the Kansas Statehouse as lawmakers discuss a move that could bring the Chiefs to Kansas if approved.(KCTV5/Alex Love)
Jun. 4, 2024: Kansas lawmakers confirm they will introduce a STAR Bond bill during an upcoming special session to finance the Chiefs’ move across the state line.
Jun. 5, 2024: Missouri lawmakers ask Gov. Parson to convene a special session over Kansas’ attempt to pull the Chiefs away.
“We can’t just sit idly by and just allow Kansas to steal our Kansas City Chiefs right in front of us,” says State Representative Mark Sharp (D-Kansas City). “We have to be aggressive and we have to be as aggressive as the Kansas legislature is currently.”
Jun. 18, 2024: Kansas lawmakers pass the STAR Bond bill to lure the Chiefs and Royals over the state line.
Public opinion on a possible move to Kansas
Jun. 21, 2024: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signs the STAR Bond bill.
With the bill passed, the first step in using a STAR Bond would be a city, county, or developer showing interest in the project, and from there, they have one year to make an agreement.
“We did that on purpose, we don’t necessarily want it sitting out there too long,” says Kansas State Representative Sean Tarwater (Stilwell-R).
The Jackson County legislature, meanwhile, is discussing the possibility of a new 25-year, 3/16 of one percent sales tax that would specifically finance keeping the Chiefs in Missouri. The ordinance makes no mention of the Royals.
Jul. 16, 2024: Jackson County Legislature tables the Chiefs-only sales tax ordinance.
Missouri starts throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping something sticks
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to start June 2, 2025, in part to agree on funding for a new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.(Office of the Missouri Governor)
Jul. 29, 2024: Another new Jackson County sales tax initiative is proposed. It would reduce the tax amount from 3/8 to 1/4-cents, make it non-Chiefs specific and open to both, either or neither team and add a sunset date of five years after both teams leave the Truman Sports Complex.
Feb. 26, 2025: Newly-elected Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri House and Senate leaders, Jackson County legislators and a Kansas City councilmember meet in Jefferson City.
The consensus is that while the meeting was successful, the ongoing property tax assessment issues in Jackson County are bound to interfere with any ideas they have for a new stadium sales tax.
May 13, 2025: The Missouri House passes a Kehoe-backed amendment to Senate Bill 80 in a last-minute effort to keep the teams in Missouri before the Senate adjourns on May 14.
The plan allows just NFL or MLB teams to get a bond up to their current state tax revenue. That comes out to nearly $29 million for the Chiefs and $26 million for the Royals. It also allows a 10% tax credit up to $50 million, and only up to half of the project.
May 14, 2025: The Missouri Senate adjourns without voting on the team incentive initiative.
May 27, 2025: Gov. Kehoe calls a special session.
Jun. 5, 2025: The Missouri Senate votes in favor of Senate Bill 3, also known as the Show Me Sports Investment Act, around 2:30 a.m.
Jun. 14, 2025: Gov. Kehoe signs the Show Me Sports Investment Act into law.
Jul. 7, 2025: Kansas lawmakers vote to extend STAR Bonds for another year at the request of the Chiefs and Royals.
“Together, we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use entertainment district,” Chiefs’ Mark Donovan said in a letter.
Meanwhile, with the Royals
Jul. 11, 2025: Gov. Kehoe signs a bill allowing Clay County to establish a Sports Complex Authority, returning to the now years-old discussion of a ballpark district in North Kansas City.
Oct. 16, 2025: North Kansas City Mayor Jesse Smith announces that conversations with the Royals are ongoing regarding the possibility of a new stadium in Clay County.
December 2025: Rumors of a Johnson County ballpark ruffle feathers.
Opposition to a Johnson County stadiumThe axe falls on Arrowhead
The Hunt family and Governor Laura Kelly present a Chiefs jersey following the approval of STAR bonds to support a possible move.(KCTV5/Marleah Campbell)
Dec. 21, 2025: Gov. Kelly says she plans to make a “special announcement” at 3 p.m. on Dec 22, after the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) meets at 1 p.m. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and other team officials are expected to attend.
Dec. 22, 2025: Early in the morning, Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota shared his final plea to Chiefs’ Hunt and Donovan, outlining what Missouri has to offer that Kansas doesn’t. LeVota was appointed in October following Frank White Jr.’s recall.
Around 2 p.m., Kansas lawmakers unanimously approved a STAR Bond proposal, clearing the way for the Chiefs to move to Kansas.
Soon after, Gov. Kelly was seen posing with Hunt and a Chiefs jersey, and the Chiefs updated their press conference livestream to read “An agreement has been reached that includes a new domed stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs to be built and opened for Chiefs Kingdom by 2031 in Wyandotte County.”
Read more: Chiefs announce historic move across state lines to Kansas
The jury is still out on the fate of the Royals.
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