KANSAS City Chiefs boss Clark Hunt has left fans divided with his controversial stadium plans.
The Chiefs face a June 30 deadline to decide if they’ll move across state borders from their current home.
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Clark Hunt spoke about building a domed stadium earlier this yearCredit: AP
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The Chiefs have played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri since 1972Credit: Getty
A new stadium would cost in the region of $3 billion.
But a renovation of their Arrowhead Stadium home would set the team back around $1 billion.
Kansas City is split across the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Arrowhead Stadium is on the Missouri side of the state border.
And officials in Kansas have offered incentives to try and lure the team over to their side of the divide.
Those financial offers are to set to expire this summer and the NFL franchise wants to make a public announcement soon.
And it follows comments from Hunt at the league meetings in Florida in March.
“I do think for the community, a dome would be a tremendous asset,” CEO Hunt said.
“It would give the Kansas City region an opportunity to host significant events.”
And his comments about playing in a dome have angered some fans.
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The Chiefs have played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri since 1972.
It is the third oldest stadium in the NFL after the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
Games in December and January are often played in freezing temperatures, giving the Chiefs a home-field advantage.
Moving to a domed stadium would increase the region’s chances of hosting events such as the Super Bowl.
But it would negate their home-field advantage when it comes to the weather.
“Building a dome is a disgrace,” one fan said. “They’re the Chiefs. Play outside.”
“That would be like the Packers building a dome,” another noted.
“A dome would ruin the whole experience,” a third commented.
But some fans also agreed with Hunt’s position of building a new stadium which can host a Super Bowl.
One said, “A dome means more to the city of Kansas City than it does the Chiefs.
“It means Super Bowl, Final 4, NCAA Playoffs, potentially a bowl game, Big 12 Championship Game.
“Many possible scenarios besides Chiefs in January.”
And another agreed, “Brings a Super Bowl to KC, would bring in more money from multiple events, probably would have a retractable roof to keep a little bit the outdoor element.
“Legitimately don’t see a downside to it.”