Kansas lawmaker is ‘confident’ Royals will move to Sunflower State

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV & KWCH) – More possibilities surfaced Tuesday regarding where the Chiefs and Royals could move since voters said no to a sales tax initiative seven months ago. As the rumors swirled, KWCH and KCTV investigated where things really stand.

How we got here

In April, Jackson County voters rejected a 3/8-cent sales tax to fund renovations to Arrowhead Stadium and a new Royals stadium downtown.

After the failed vote, Kansas lawmakers began work to lure the teams across the state line.

In June, they passed a STAR Bonds bill in the Kansas Legislature and Governor Laura Kelly signed it into law.

This allows a professional sports team to use Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds to finance a major development such as a new stadium or practice facility.

In August, the idea for the Royals to get a stadium in Washington Square Park emerged after the idea was floated by developers, architects and marketing agencies.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt spoke about the team’s direction in October.

Hunt said they could have more constructive conversations after the election and hope to have a decision by the spring.

Word on the street

Since the ‘no’ vote in April, rumors have been swirling about where the two teams could end up.

KCTV5 has heard numerous possibilities, such as locations in Johnson and Wyandotte counties or downtown Kansas City.

“I’m just confident that Kansas is in a position to win one or both teams,” Claeys said. “It makes perfect sense for them to come to Kansas. You don’t get Super Bowls and Final Fours by renovating Arrowhead Stadium. You’ll get it if you come to Kansas for a new domed stadium.

It’s not confirmed that nothing is set in stone.

As the gossip continued, KCTV5 reached out to all the leaders who could play a role in this big stadium debate.

“There will always be rumors until there is a decision,” said David Johnston, administrator of the United Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas. He added: “We have not officially communicated with either team.”

“There are several venue locations in Johnson County, obviously the Legends in Wyandotte County. These are all very concerning because they appear to be leading to more real opportunities,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca.

The Royals told KCTV on Tuesday that they are still exploring their options.

The Chiefs did not respond to our request for comment on the recent rumors.

The Kansas Department of Commerce is responsible for the STAR Bond work.

In a statement Tuesday, they shared:

The revised STAR Bonds bill passed by the Kansas Legislature during the special session passed with a bipartisan supermajority in both chambers. The new law directs Lieutenant Governor Toland – as Secretary of Commerce – to lead all negotiations with the Chiefs and/or Royals. Because all major economic development projects require discretion and confidentiality, the department will not release details of activities surrounding negotiations or future agreements.

“There is such intense hope that both teams will stay in the metro area,” Johnston said.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, told KCTV5:

“We are a sports city and the Royals and Chiefs are celebrated members of our community connecting fans across the metro. My priority remains to keep these championship teams in the region and ensure we can cheer them on for generations to come.”

While it’s an exciting possibility for a team or two to move to Kansas, these rumors raise concerns for Missouri leaders.

“At this point it is about what is the real impact on Jackson Countians, what is the obligation on Jackson County, as owning the facilities there is a lot at stake for the taxpayers of Jackson County, with or without the teams, and I think we have to decide what to do about it,” Abarca said.

Abarca was unable to get an answer from County Executive Frank White during Tuesday’s meeting.

Abarca believes these conversations need to get moving.

“What is the five- and 10-year outlook for Jackson County without stadiums? Not only that which is the municipal revenue loss for the regional cities that will be affected by these measures,” said Abarca. He added: “I honestly don’t think anything is happening from the province and that’s why they don’t want to tell us that nothing happened before when we got here. That’s why we as legislators were motivated to do something about this by putting this on the ballot. Unfortunately, I think this is yet another delay and delay tactic by the government.”

On the city side, Mayor Quinton Lucas shared a statement with KCTV5 about the latest rumor.

Whatever it may be, that’s how the story goes until we find out what the real end goal is.

“There are only two people who have the answer and those are Royals management and Chiefs management,” Johnston said.

In October, Hunt said the real deadline isn’t until February 2031, when the team’s lease expires at the Truman Sports Complex.

As for the STAR Bonds package, the teams have one year to enter into negotiations and if that is before June 30, 2025, they can extend the negotiation agreement for another year.

KCTV5 also reached out to Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe about his position on the matter, but did not hear back.

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