News Summary
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins is urging the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to finalize stadium plans before state funding incentives expire. The current funding allows financing of up to 70% of construction costs via STAR bonds, due to expire in June 2025. With Kansas vying to keep the teams local, Missouri officials are countering with their own funding proposals. As both states prepare for negotiations, the urgency mounts to secure the future of these iconic franchises.
Kansas City, Kansas – Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins is urging the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to finalize their plans for new stadiums before a key state funding incentive expires on June 30. Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, emphasized that he does not support extending the current funding proposal, putting pressure on the teams to make swift decisions about their future venues.
The existing stadium funding plan in Kansas allows financing of up to 70% of stadium construction costs through Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds. These bonds are repaid with tax revenues generated by the stadiums and their surrounding developments, as well as revenues from future sports betting and the Kansas Lottery. This financial mechanism is critical as both teams consider their future options.
In a move to expedite discussions, Kansas Lieutenant Governor David Toland has been given the authority to negotiate funding agreements directly with both the Chiefs and the Royals without needing a statewide or local vote. This flexibility could facilitate faster decision-making regarding the necessary financial support for new stadium projects.
House Majority Leader Chris Croft has expressed a strong desire for both teams to remain in the Kansas City area and is particularly interested in the potential of relocating these franchises to Kansas. However, this endeavor is met with opposition from Missouri officials, including Governor Mike Kehoe, who considers the Chiefs and Royals as “Missouri’s teams” and is against Kansas’s efforts to lure them away.
In Missouri, lawmakers are preparing for a special session where various issues, including disaster relief and funding for budget proposals that did not pass during the regular legislative session, will be addressed. Among the proposals, Missouri aims to match Kansas’s offerings by providing up to 50% of new or upgraded stadium construction costs through state aid. However, there is skepticism from some Missouri lawmakers regarding the necessity of such funding, with concerns about taxpayer money being directed toward wealthy organizations.
Extensive studies have shown that stadium projects often fail to deliver the economic returns needed to justify public subsidies. Despite this, Kansas legislators are seizing the opportunity to attract both teams while Missouri scrambles to finalize its funding proposals. The ongoing discussions come at an urgent time, as the current lease for the Chiefs at the Truman Sports Complex is set to expire in February 2031.
The Royals’ ownership has acknowledged the efforts of Missouri lawmakers and underscored the importance of the proposed legislation. This acknowledgment comes as they weigh their options for a future home, which may ultimately be influenced by the developments in both Kansas and Missouri. Kansas’s STAR bond program was recently renewed, but it is scheduled to expire in June 2025, adding a layer of urgency to the negotiations.
As both states work on their individual proposals, the fate of the Chiefs and Royals will significantly depend on the decisions made in the coming months regarding stadium funding and potential relocations. The next steps are crucial for the teams’ future, and both Kansas and Missouri are trying to position themselves advantageously in this competitive landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star
- Wikipedia: Kansas City Chiefs
- Fox 4 KC
- Google Search: Kansas City Royals
- Missouri Independent
- Google Scholar: Stadium Funding
- KSHB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Stadium Financing
- Front Office Sports
- Google News: Kansas City Stadium
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
