Royals May Consider Third Stadium Site After Missing Deadline

After missing their self-imposed deadline to decide on the site of their proposed $2 billion stadium in September, the Kansas City Royals further complicated the process by reportedly adding another contender into the mix. 

According to the Kansas City Star, the MLB team is eyeing up a property in the southern reaches of Kansas City at the site of the former Kansas City Star printing press pavilion. The press building was opened in 2006, but has been out of use since 2020. 

The Privitera family, which currently owns the property, pitched the Royals on being the location for their new stadium as far back as spring training. However, the team rejected the initial proposal. 

Now, with talks clearly stalling between the club and the two other options — one in KC’s East Village and the other across the river in Clay County — the Royals are reconsidering or at least seeking leverage.

The KC Star site is within walking distance of T-Mobile Center and the Power and Light District — meaning there would likely be less need to build up a stadium district since one already exists. However, much of the area directly surrounding the proposed site has been developed, which would make it difficult to expand if the site isn’t big enough for a baseball stadium.

No matter which of the three suitors gets picked, the Royals are now eyeing mid-January for a final decision, as that is the deadline to get on a public ballot measure in April.

Another party that will be anxiously awaiting their choice is the Kansas City Chiefs, who will decide on how they will approach renovations to Arrowhead Stadium only after the Royals decide.