KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KWCH) – On social media Monday afternoon, the Kansas City Royals, facing uncertainty about their home field future, posted a supportive message to their neighbors following the Chiefs’ stadium announcement and planned move to Kansas. That message from the Royals to the Chiefs read, “Proud to be your next door neighbor for 52 years. Proud to be part of the Kingdom into the future.”
The Royals have not announced plans for a new stadium. The team began floating ideas for a $2 billion ballpark in downtown Kansas City in 2022.
The Royals have said they will not be playing at Kauffman Stadium once the lease expires. In October, North Kansas City’s mayor announced conversations with the team are ongoing for a possible new stadium in Clay County.
There have also been rumors of talks about a ballpark in Johnson County, Kansas. That has brought concerns from those that live there.
On Dec. 8, hundreds of Johnson County residents packed a meeting room in Leawood, voicing concerns about a potential stadium in Overland Park.
“The site on the Aspiria campus, originally the Sprint headquarters, sits just across from the Town Center Plaza shopping center. Though the immediate area is largely commercial, numerous subdivisions are located just a few blocks away,” KCTV reported on Dec. 8.
The concerns arose with the proximity to neighborhoods. Specifically, there were concerns expressed about drunken drivers on nearby streets and traffic congestion.
Leaders in Kansas set a deadline for the end of the year for both the Royals and Chiefs to decide on whether they’ll use STAR bonds to establish new homes in the Sunflower State. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins has said that deadline will remain.
Governor Laura Kelly was asked about whether there have been talks with the Royals.
“You know we’re not even going to talk about the Royals today, this is all about the Chiefs,” Kelly said.
Kansas City, Missouri issued a statement on the Chiefs’ announcement saying the city wishes the team success in their new home. The statement added that they will continue their efforts to retain the Royals in a transformational downtown facility.
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