Jackson County announces plan to keep Chiefs, renovate Arrowhead

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota made it clear Friday that the county is not done fighting to keep the Kansas City Chiefs at the Truman Sports Complex. As rumors swirl around a possible move to Kansas, specifically after reports that the Chiefs will be at a legislative meeting Monday in Kansas, LeVota emphasized that in his eyes, a deal is not done. “Kansas has some lofty ideas but no plan,” LeVota said. “Missouri does. We have a plan, and it is in Jackson County, Missouri.” LeVota said that Chiefs President Mark Donovan told him that no deal is finalized. With that in mind, Jackson County is continuing its efforts to hold onto the team. LeVota introduced a ballot initiative for April 2026 that would lower taxes in Jackson County in 2031 and generate funding for a major renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. This initiative is called “Operation Save Arrowhead.” The plan would lower the sales tax from 3/8 cent to 1/4 cent. This plan would mean that the Kansas City Royals are no longer a tenant of the Truman Sports Complex. However, LeVota said he is still dedicated to keeping the Royals in Jackson County, as well, but they have reportedly expressed that they do not want to stay at the Truman Sports Complex. The plan to keep the Chiefs includes a $400 million investment from the team for the renovation, LeVota said, which they have committed, if this project moves forward. The state’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act and the city of Kansas City would also contribute funds for the project, though LeVota did not share how much. LeVota noted that the Chiefs have not said yes to this plan, but that discussions are still being had. This deal would require much collaboration between the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson County, the state of Missouri and the city of Kansas City, all of whom are seemingly committed to this plan. Jackson County voters previously voted down an initiative to raise taxes and keep the Chiefs, a fact not lost on LeVota, but he said that this time around, because of changes in government and the lowering of taxes, he thinks that voters would be on board. “I believe they will overwhelmingly pass a ballot initiative extending the tax and even lowering it,” LeVota said. “We are going to lower the tax and keep the Chiefs.” Kansas officials say that “active discussions” are ongoing on their side. “No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come,” the Kansas Department of Commerce said in a statement. “We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.” Watch the full news conference from Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota in the player below. Related reporting: Kansas officials confirm stadium discussions with Chiefs, no deal finalizedMissouri House sends stadium funding bill for Chiefs, Royals to governor’s desk Kansas City Chiefs ask Kansas Senate for more time to mull stadium decision Will the Chiefs or Royals move? A full timeline of stadium debates

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota made it clear Friday that the county is not done fighting to keep the Kansas City Chiefs at the Truman Sports Complex.

As rumors swirl around a possible move to Kansas, specifically after reports that the Chiefs will be at a legislative meeting Monday in Kansas, LeVota emphasized that in his eyes, a deal is not done.

“Kansas has some lofty ideas but no plan,” LeVota said. “Missouri does. We have a plan, and it is in Jackson County, Missouri.”

LeVota said that Chiefs President Mark Donovan told him that no deal is finalized.

With that in mind, Jackson County is continuing its efforts to hold onto the team.

LeVota introduced a ballot initiative for April 2026 that would lower taxes in Jackson County in 2031 and generate funding for a major renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. This initiative is called “Operation Save Arrowhead.”

The plan would lower the sales tax from 3/8 cent to 1/4 cent.

This plan would mean that the Kansas City Royals are no longer a tenant of the Truman Sports Complex.

However, LeVota said he is still dedicated to keeping the Royals in Jackson County, as well, but they have reportedly expressed that they do not want to stay at the Truman Sports Complex.

The plan to keep the Chiefs includes a $400 million investment from the team for the renovation, LeVota said, which they have committed, if this project moves forward.

The state’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act and the city of Kansas City would also contribute funds for the project, though LeVota did not share how much.

LeVota noted that the Chiefs have not said yes to this plan, but that discussions are still being had.

This deal would require much collaboration between the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson County, the state of Missouri and the city of Kansas City, all of whom are seemingly committed to this plan.

Jackson County voters previously voted down an initiative to raise taxes and keep the Chiefs, a fact not lost on LeVota, but he said that this time around, because of changes in government and the lowering of taxes, he thinks that voters would be on board.

“I believe they will overwhelmingly pass a ballot initiative extending the tax and even lowering it,” LeVota said. “We are going to lower the tax and keep the Chiefs.”

Kansas officials say that “active discussions” are ongoing on their side.

“No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come,” the Kansas Department of Commerce said in a statement. “We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”

Watch the full news conference from Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota in the player below.

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