Chiefs’ Mark Donovan says organization has options in ongoing stadium negotiations

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KCTV) - As the Kansas City Chiefs get set to embark on the journey toward a potentially historic three-peat on the field, organizational leaders off the field continue work on finding a stadium solution following April’s failed tax vote in Jackson County.

On Friday, Chiefs President Mark Donovan acknowledged the efforts both states have made toward either keeping the Chiefs in Missouri or bringing them to Kansas.

“We appreciate the efforts that the Kansas Legislature made,” Donovan said, “to really supercharge STAR bonds and make it make sense for a professional sports team to come over there and really take advantage of that. It is consistent with what we’ve talked about that we want to look at options. It seems -- at least in my general understanding of it -- that this is a really good option for us to consider so we appreciate that.”

Two weeks ago, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson visited Kansas City and met with local leaders on efforts to keep the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in the Show-Me State. Those meetings came after Kansas passed a law that would allow for sales tax dollars in Kansas to lure the teams there.

“There’s lots of options out there, lots of options the state has, the city has and the county has, but all three need to be working in the same direction,” Parson said on July 8.

Donovan said Friday the Chiefs are in discussions with lawmakers in Kansas -- something the Royals have acknowledged as well.

“We are in discussions with the folks in Kansas,” Donovan said. “We are in discussions, continue our discussions with the folks in Missouri. Talking to various leaders, there seem to be other options coming up on the Missouri side and we appreciate that.”

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The discussions follow the strategy the organization laid out in the event the April 2 3/8-cent sales tax extension didn’t go its way.

“Now we have a couple options to look at,” said Donovan, who signed a contract extension in late April to remain with the organization. “We will seriously consider all options.”

When asked about potential deadlines, Donovan said the Chiefs have in mind being up and running -- in either a new stadium or a renovated Arrowhead -- by the 2031 season. That’s the year the Chiefs and Royals current lease with the Truman Sports Complex ends.

“We feel like we are in that window right now,” said Donovan. “We feel like we need to get something done within the next six months to figure out and be in a good position.”

Donovan admitted the Chiefs went “all in” on the April election and “failed pretty badly.” As a result, they’re taking a more measured approach toward their interest in renovating Arrowhead.

“We are looking at it as a measured response,” Donovan said, noting he’s had text conversations as recently as Thursday with Royals leadership but said the two sides know they are best served working separately. “What makes the most sense for our fans? What makes the most sense for our franchise and this organization? And what makes the most sense and is going to have the biggest impact on this region? The positive of this is we do have options.

“This is a generational decision. This is going to impact the future of this franchise for generations. We have to get it right.”

While figuring out a plan for the home of the Chiefs during the regular season, the organization also has a decision to make on the future home of training camp. Their current contract at Missouri Western expires after the 2024 season, meaning Donovan and company must determine a plan for next summer.

For now, Donovan said that plan is likely a return to St. Joseph, where they’ve camped since 2010.

“I was asked this earlier and I responded, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’” Donovan said of the potential extension of a contract between the Chiefs and MWSU. “It has been a great partnership, it’s been something that I’ve said we’re proud to have been here 14 of the last 15 years. We expect that to continue.”

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But Donovan said the organization must do its due diligence on the situation.

“We’ll do what we always do,” he said. “It’s a great relationship because we will get through this camp, at the end of camp we’ll sit down and talk about what went well and where are the challenges, what was better this year than last year, what was worse than last year and what can we do to improve?”

“We fully expect to be back,” Donovan said, noting short-term extensions to the agreement between the organization and the University allow for flexibility over the coming years when things like the World Cup may cause disruptions. “Every couple years we extend our deal and we fully expect to be back here moving forward.”

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