‘There are rumors out there’: Where do the Royals, Chiefs stadium talks stand?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Tuesday, more possibilities popped up regarding where the Chiefs and Royals could move to since voters said no to a sales tax initiative seven months ago. As rumors swirl, KCTV looked into where things really stand.

How we got here

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

After the failed vote, Kansas legislators began the 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 came up for the Royals to get a stadium in Washington Square Park after the idea came about by developers, architects, and marketing firms.

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

Hunt said after the election they’d be able to have more constructive conversations and hope to have a decision by spring.

Word on the street

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

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

Nothing has been confirmed to be set in stone.

As the gossip continued Tuesday, KCTV5 checked in with all the leaders who could have a part to play in this great stadium debate.

“There are always going to be (rumors) until there is a decision,” said Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas Administrator David Johnston. He added, “We’ve had no official communication with either team.”

“There are several site locations in Johnson County obviously the Legends in Wyandotte County. Those are all very concerning because they seem to be coming to more real at least opportunities,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca.

The Royals told KCTV on Tuesday 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 the one in charge of STAR Bond work.

In a statement Tuesday they shared:

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.

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

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

“We’re a sports town - and the Royals and Chiefs are celebrated members of our community that connect fans across the metro. My priority remains keeping these championship teams in the region and making sure we can cheer them on for generations to come.”

While it is an exciting possibility for a team or two to move to Kansas, these rumors bring concern for Missouri leaders.

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

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

Abarca feels these conversations need to get moving.

“What is the five, ten-year outlook for Jackson County without stadiums? Not just that what is the municipal revenue loss for the regional cities that are going to be impacted by these moves,” said Abarca. He added, “I honestly think there is nothing happening from the county that is why they don’t want to tell us there was nothing happening before when we got here. That’s why we were motivated as legislators to do something about this, putting it on the ballot. Unfortunately, I think this is a stall and delay tactic from the administration yet again.”

On the city side, Mayor Quinton Lucas shared a statement with KCTV5 regarding the newest rumor.

Whatever it may be, so the story goes until we find out what the real end goal is.

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

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

As for the STAR Bonds package, the teams have a year to go into negotiations and if they are before June 30, 2025, they can extend the deal for negotiations for one more year.

KCTV5 also reached out to Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe about his stance on this but did not hear back.

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