Where the Chiefs, Royals stand nearly one year after voters said ‘no’ on sales tax

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Jackson County and Kansas City leaders met with Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Wednesday to try and keep the Chiefs and Royals in the Show Me State.

That meeting included Kehoe, leaders from the Missouri Legislature, Jackson County Legislators Manny Abarca and Sean Smith, and some Kansas City Councilmembers.

Many came out feeling optimistic.

In a statement to KCTV5, Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith shared:

“Today we had a very encouraging discussion with leaders from Missouri, Kansas City & Jackson County. This was a breakthrough moment as we all committed to finding ways to protect Missouri businesses from moving out of the state. We were also very encouraged to hear that Missouri leaders are committed to protecting our taxpayers from runaway property tax increases.

Our Teams and other businesses are critical to Missouri’s economic security so is home ownership and economic security for our residents,”

• Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith

KCTV5 reached out to the Royals and Chiefs on Wednesday to see where the teams stand as neither were present at the Capitol meeting.

The Kansas City Royals said they are still exploring options, an answer they’ve given for months.

The Kansas City Chiefs did not respond to the request.

Where things stand

In April 2024, Jackson County voters rejected a 3/8 cent sales tax to move the Royals downtown and renovate Arrowhead Stadium.

Kansas legislators saw that as an opportunity to lure the teams to Sunflower State with a bill.

Governor Laura Kelly signed the STAR Bonds bill to attract a professional sports team using the Sales Tax and Revenue Bonds to finance a major development such as a new stadium or practice facility.

The Kansas Department of Commerce provided a statement on Wednesday:

“The revised STAR Bonds bill passed by the Kansas Legislature during the special session was done with bipartisan supermajorities 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 disclose any details regarding the activity surrounding negotiations or future agreements.”

In August, ideas floated around as to where the Chiefs or Royals could go. The idea of Washington Square Park came up for the baseball team.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt talked about the team’s future in October. He said he was hopeful to have more of a plan by the spring, but not a finalized plan, more of a direction they are going.

In November, the team shared it hired CSL International, a research firm. This is to help the Chiefs get information from both sides of the state line through surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

While the Chiefs are staying tight-lipped on their plans, Wednesday’s meeting is expected to be the first of many by Missouri leaders.

The Chiefs have said that the real deadline for the team is February 2031, when the lease ends at the Truman Sports Complex.

For more stories regarding Kansas City’s stadiums, click here.

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