Missouri Governor Mike Parson is rallying to prevent the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from crossing the border into Kansas. As Kansas advances its plans to fund up to 70% of the cost for new stadiums, Missouri is hastening to formulate an aid package by the end of the year to keep these iconic teams at home.
Over fifty years of history ties the Chiefs and Royals to their adjacent stadiums in eastern Kansas City. However, with their stadium leases expiring in 2031, moves are being made on both sides of the state line to secure the futures of these franchises. Royals owner John Sherman has made it clear that the team plans to vacate Kauffman Stadium after the 2030 season, further escalating the need for swift action.
Missouri's Strategy
Governor Parson emphasized the state's commitment to devising a competitive and beneficial plan for taxpayers. "We're going to make sure that we put the best business deal we can on the line," Parson articulated. "Look, I can't blame Kansas for trying. You know, if I was probably sitting there, I'd be doing the same thing. But at the end of the day, we're going to be competitive."
While Missouri contemplates its next moves, the landscape of local support tilts heavily on recent voter actions. Jackson County voters recently struck down a proposed sales tax in April intended to fund over $2 billion for a downtown ballpark district for the Royals and $800 million in renovations for the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium. These actions showcase the delicate balance of taxpayer interests and long-term planning required to keep these teams rooted in Missouri.
Comparisons and Timing
The chess game between Missouri and Kansas is part of a broader trend seen in several states and cities around the country. For example, Jacksonville, Florida recently approved a $1.25 billion stadium renovation for the NFL's Jaguars, with costs shared between the city and the team. Such precedents set high benchmarks and timelines, adding pressure to all stakeholders involved.
Time is of the essence as Governor Parson reaches the final months of his term, which ends in January. Despite the urgency, Parson has been clear that he does not foresee calling a special legislative session before his departure. "I think by the end of this year, we're going to have something in place" to propose for the stadiums," he stated, pointing to a timetable synchronized with his departure.
The Kansas Perspective
The Kansas Department of Commerce has approved plans that aim to finance the majority of new stadium costs but has yet to finalize a timeline for the deal. Understandably, this initiative from Kansas raises the stakes for Missouri, as both states vie to offer the most favorable conditions for their prized sports teams.
"The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are big business," Parson remarked, underlining the substantial economic and cultural influence these teams wield. The challenge remains for Missouri to match or exceed Kansas’s offer while ensuring that any package put forward will be beneficial to Missouri's taxpayers in the long run. "It has to work out on paper, where it's going to be beneficial to the taxpayers of Missouri," Parson noted, striking at the core of the issue.
In this unfolding saga, Missouri's strategic response in the coming months will be pivotal. As the year closes, the balance between economic incentives, public opinion, and political willpower will determine the future homes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.