‘We must evaluate all options’: Royals join Chiefs in exploring possible move to Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas lawmakers considering STAR bonds to lure the Kansas City Chiefs to the other side of the state line also opened possibilities for the Royals, according to the organization.

The Royals have said they will explore all of their options since voters failed to pass a 3-8th cent sales tax in April. The tax would have paid to build a new Royals Stadium in the Crossroads District. It would have also paid for renovations at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Saturday, the Royals released a statement that said the organization is joining the Chiefs and exploring the option of using STAR Bonds as a means to move across the state line to Kansas.

What are STAR Bonds and how do they work?

In that statement, the Royals reiterated that they started “evaluating all options,” after the stadium sales tax extension failed just over two months ago, and have said so all along.

“As we’ve said since April 2, we must evaluate all options that may be available to us with respect to a new stadium. The Royals need a place to play baseball in the near future and the recent STAR bond discussions in Kansas provide a path for us to explore.”

In late April, former KCK Mayor and Wyandotte CEO Carol Marinovich said that STAR bonds would be the ideal way to fund a move from Missouri to Kansas.

“I think that’s exactly what the STAR bonds were created for – tourism destination things, so this would fit in perfectly,” Marinovich said.

State officials have even gotten involved in the struggle, with Governor Mike Parson saying he will “do everything we can” to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. Last week, Parson said he does not plan on calling a special session to consider funding to keep the teams.

On the Kansas side, Rep. Sean Tarwater thinks Kansas and its STAR bonds will “be better than anything Missouri can offer.”

Kansas lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene for a special session on Tuesday, June 18.

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