LENEXA, Kan. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have requested an extension to an end-of-June deadline for a stadium financing package deal from the state of Kansas, a sign that the NFL franchise’s potential transfer throughout the state line from Missouri is a legit risk.
Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the extension Thursday in a letter to Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson, a duplicate of which was obtained by The Related Press. Donovan defined that the Chiefs have made “important progress” on plans for a brand new stadium improvement however that extra time is required to “deliver the hassle to full fruition.”
The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to fulfill July 7 to think about extending the inducement deadline.
“The letter from Mark Donovan signifies that the drive to deliver this historic mission to Kansas is transferring down the sector,” Masterson mentioned in an announcement. “Now that we’re within the pink zone, this extension will present stakeholders ample time to make sure the ball crosses the objective line.”
The Chiefs and Royals have performed for greater than 5 many years on the Truman Sports activities Advanced on the east facet of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, the place Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium share parking services. However leases with Jackson County are as a consequence of expire in January 2031, and the 2 franchises have been making an attempt to plot a course ahead for years.
Donovan indicated in his letter to Masterson that Kansas stays an attractive choice.
“Collectively,” he wrote, “we’ve the chance to deliver the Nationwide Soccer League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new staff headquarters, a state-of-the-art observe facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and leisure district.”
Final yr, Jackson County voters defeated a gross sales tax extension that might have helped to finance an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium — the house of the Chiefs — and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas Metropolis.
Whereas native and state officers in Missouri had been contemplating one other a stadium financing package deal, lawmakers in Kansas shortly and aggressively approved bonds for as much as 70% of the price of new stadiums to be constructed of their state.
Many believed the Chiefs and Royals would use the Kansas supply as leverage for a greater deal from Missouri — together with Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas, who acknowledged that “the groups are in an distinctive leverage place.”
Lastly, earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe referred to as lawmakers right into a particular session to approve a stadium financing deal that included catastrophe aid for the St. Louis space, the place a sequence of devastating tornadoes brought on widespread injury. The laws authorizes bonds overlaying as much as 50% of the price of new or renovated stadiums in Missouri, plus as much as $50 million of tax credit for every stadium and unspecified assist from native governments.
The prevailing perception was that the package deal could be sufficient to maintain the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the place they’ve floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation, and maybe maintain onto the Royals, who’re nonetheless involved in constructing downtown.
But information surfaced a few month in the past that an affiliate of the Royals bought the mortgage on a big property within the southern Kansas Metropolis suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, elevating the potential for constructing a brand new stadium and ballpark district there.
And the letter from Donovan requesting an extension in Kansas signifies the Chiefs are also critical about switching states.
Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt has lengthy professed his affinity for Arrowhead Stadium, which was constructed by his father and staff founder Lamar Hunt. However he is also keenly conscious of the income streams obtainable by constructing a brand new domed stadium, together with the prospect to host the Tremendous Bowl, the Ultimate 4 and different marquee sporting occasions.
It’s unclear the place the Chiefs would construct in Kansas, however one risk is the juncture of Interstates 435 and 70 in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas. That is the location of Kansas Speedway, a blended residential and industrial district referred to as The Legends, the house stadiums of MLS membership Sporting Kansas Metropolis and the Kansas Metropolis Monarchs minor league baseball membership, in addition to a on line casino, accommodations, a significant soccer coaching middle and the infrastructure essential to assist a domed soccer stadium.
“We’re excited in regards to the potential for this mission, which might signify the most important financial improvement initiative within the state’s historical past,” Donovan wrote in his letter Thursday. “Simply as vital, the presence of an NFL franchise in [Kansas] will function a strong engine for speedy and lengthy term-growth — driving nationwide consideration, sustained tourism, and billions extra in non-public improvement throughout the state.”
