What’s next for the Kansas City Royals?

The Kansas City Royals remain tight-lipped about their future as the clock ticks toward a key decision deadline tied to Kansas’ STAR bond proposal.The team offered no comment beyond well wishes for the Kansas City Chiefs after the Chiefs announced plans to move to Kansas. The uncertainty has intensified following the Chiefs’ decision to cross the state line, a move that did not sit well with Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley. The Truman Sports Complex sits squarely within her 3rd District, which has been home to the Royals for decades.Patterson Hazley said she spoke with Royals owner John Sherman about a month ago about keeping the team in Kansas City, specifically in her district. She described those conversations as positive and said she immediately began making calls after the Chiefs’ announcement.“I just got on the phone yesterday and started calling people, saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got a job to do in East Kansas City.’ Let’s get started,” Patterson Hazley said.She said she has discussed multiple potential sites with Sherman, including keeping the team near the Truman Sports Complex and a possible stadium location at Truman and Troost. Other locations, including Washington Square Park, have also been floated.“They’ve been in the third district for 50 years, but we want to continue the relationship for the next generation,” she said.Patterson Hazley said Sherman has remained engaged as discussions continue.“He’s communicative. And I think we’re just trying to figure out what’s the best path forward,” she said.Interest is not limited to East Kansas City. Leaders in the Northland are also waiting to see whether they remain contenders. Jesse Smith, mayor of North Kansas City, said the lack of communication has been frustrating but acknowledged the scale of the decision.“I don’t want to make light of the fact that they are making a multibillion-dollar decision,” Smith said. “We haven’t heard anything yet, and that’s frustrating. Again, acknowledging this is a big, big decision.”Patterson Hazley said her priority remains keeping the team in Kansas City, Missouri, even as competition among potential sites continues.“I think the main thing is Kansas City first, Kansas City, Missouri first,” she said. “And, you know, as the representative of the third district, of course, I’m going to vie for the stadium to stay in my district.”For now, the Royals’ future remains uncertain.“We do have a good asset that Kansas City is built from scratch,” Patterson Hazley said. “Kansas City, Missouri, has built these teams from scratch. That’s why everybody wants them. So we’ve just got to do a good job and retain the Royals.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

The Kansas City Royals remain tight-lipped about their future as the clock ticks toward a key decision deadline tied to Kansas’ STAR bond proposal.

The team offered no comment beyond well wishes for the Kansas City Chiefs after the Chiefs announced plans to move to Kansas.

The uncertainty has intensified following the Chiefs’ decision to cross the state line, a move that did not sit well with Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley.

The Truman Sports Complex sits squarely within her 3rd District, which has been home to the Royals for decades.

Patterson Hazley said she spoke with Royals owner John Sherman about a month ago about keeping the team in Kansas City, specifically in her district.

She described those conversations as positive and said she immediately began making calls after the Chiefs’ announcement.

“I just got on the phone yesterday and started calling people, saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got a job to do in East Kansas City.’ Let’s get started,” Patterson Hazley said.

She said she has discussed multiple potential sites with Sherman, including keeping the team near the Truman Sports Complex and a possible stadium location at Truman and Troost.

Other locations, including Washington Square Park, have also been floated.

“They’ve been in the third district for 50 years, but we want to continue the relationship for the next generation,” she said.

Patterson Hazley said Sherman has remained engaged as discussions continue.

“He’s communicative. And I think we’re just trying to figure out what’s the best path forward,” she said.

Interest is not limited to East Kansas City.

Leaders in the Northland are also waiting to see whether they remain contenders.

Jesse Smith, mayor of North Kansas City, said the lack of communication has been frustrating but acknowledged the scale of the decision.

“I don’t want to make light of the fact that they are making a multibillion-dollar decision,” Smith said. “We haven’t heard anything yet, and that’s frustrating. Again, acknowledging this is a big, big decision.”

Patterson Hazley said her priority remains keeping the team in Kansas City, Missouri, even as competition among potential sites continues.

“I think the main thing is Kansas City first, Kansas City, Missouri first,” she said. “And, you know, as the representative of the third district, of course, I’m going to vie for the stadium to stay in my district.”

For now, the Royals’ future remains uncertain.

“We do have a good asset that Kansas City is built from scratch,” Patterson Hazley said. “Kansas City, Missouri, has built these teams from scratch. That’s why everybody wants them. So we’ve just got to do a good job and retain the Royals.”