The Kansas City Royals have faced challenges in their search for a new home, involving multiple proposed stadium sites, disagreements among local politicians, and several delays in a process originally expected to reach a final decision by late September 2023. Amidst this, the Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead Stadium, situated nearby, have remained relatively quiet during the Royals’ deliberations.
Recently, the two teams issued a joint statement expressing their joint commitment to remain in Jackson County, contingent on the approval of an extension of the 3/8-cent sales tax in an upcoming April ballot initiative. The statement provided some insights into the teams’ plans, particularly focusing on the Royals’ relocation, including financial aspects such as insurance coverage, property tax, and a community benefits agreement.
— Frank White (@JCEFrankWhite) January 5, 2024
For the Chiefs, the statement reiterated their intention to stay at Arrowhead Stadium, outlining a comprehensive renovation plan. Under the proposed agreement, the Chiefs would undertake extensive renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, while the Royals would construct a new downtown stadium and privately finance a $1 billion ballpark district. Although this statement doesn’t mark the conclusion of the teams’ decision-making processes, it serves as a united expression of their current preferences, pending approval from Jackson County.
The Jackson County Legislature is set to vote on two stadium sales-tax ballot measures, one aligning with both teams’ requests for a 40-year extension of the 3/8-cent sales tax, and another proposing a 25-year extension with benefits solely for the Chiefs through a 3/16-cent sales tax. However, Jackson County Executive Frank White emphasized that, despite ongoing discussions, no finalized agreement has been reached with either team as of the latest statement on Friday evening.