Shortly after the Kansas City Royals announced one popular stadium option was no longer up for consideration, another county provided an update on where it stands with the team. Clay County has been a rumored contender for a stadium since relocation discussions began. The Clay County Commission said in an update Wednesday that it provided the Royals with what it believes to be a “strong and competitive proposal” that would have supported the Royals and created a dining and entertainment district, all while looking out for Clay County taxpayers. The commission said that in order to align with the Royals’ timeline, a proposal needed to be on the April ballot. “Meeting that timeline would have required acceptance of the County’s proposal by January 8th, 2026, thereby allowing sufficient time for public input and a formal vote by the Commission to place the measure before voters,” the commission said. “The Royals elected not to accept the County’s proposal within that timeframe. “As a result, no proposal will be presented to the public for a vote this April.” In their statement, commissioners assured taxpayers they would negotiate with their best interests as “the top priority.” “The County did not and will not engage in a bidding competition with other jurisdictions,” the commission said. “Our focus remains on achieving fair, responsible, and mutually beneficial agreements for our residents and for any businesses seeking to invest in Clay County.” With Aspiria out and Clay County out — at least for now — that means options are dwindling, or the Royals are potentially narrowing down where they’d like to move. A downtown ballpark is still seemingly on the table, with Washington Square Park or 18th and Prospect being possible spots. Clay County’s update isn’t completely out of the blue; Commissioner Jason Withington posted on social media earlier this month about struggles during negotiations. Withington was not one of the county’s lead negotiators in this process, as noted in its statement Wednesday. Commissioners Jay Johnson, Jon Carpenter and Scott Wagner took the lead. However, Withington voiced his apparent frustration, saying he was “done negotiating” with the team due to reported delays and shifting timelines.

Shortly after the Kansas City Royals announced one popular stadium option was no longer up for consideration, another county provided an update on where it stands with the team.

Clay County has been a rumored contender for a stadium since relocation discussions began.

The Clay County Commission said in an update Wednesday that it provided the Royals with what it believes to be a “strong and competitive proposal” that would have supported the Royals and created a dining and entertainment district, all while looking out for Clay County taxpayers.

The commission said that in order to align with the Royals’ timeline, a proposal needed to be on the April ballot.

“Meeting that timeline would have required acceptance of the County’s proposal by January 8th, 2026, thereby allowing sufficient time for public input and a formal vote by the Commission to place the measure before voters,” the commission said. “The Royals elected not to accept the County’s proposal within that timeframe.

“As a result, no proposal will be presented to the public for a vote this April.”

In their statement, commissioners assured taxpayers they would negotiate with their best interests as “the top priority.”

“The County did not and will not engage in a bidding competition with other jurisdictions,” the commission said. “Our focus remains on achieving fair, responsible, and mutually beneficial agreements for our residents and for any businesses seeking to invest in Clay County.”

With Aspiria out and Clay County out — at least for now — that means options are dwindling, or the Royals are potentially narrowing down where they’d like to move.

A downtown ballpark is still seemingly on the table, with Washington Square Park or 18th and Prospect being possible spots.

Clay County’s update isn’t completely out of the blue; Commissioner Jason Withington posted on social media earlier this month about struggles during negotiations. Withington was not one of the county’s lead negotiators in this process, as noted in its statement Wednesday. Commissioners Jay Johnson, Jon Carpenter and Scott Wagner took the lead.

However, Withington voiced his apparent frustration, saying he was “done negotiating” with the team due to reported delays and shifting timelines.