• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Weeks after Missouri legislators passed stadium funding for the Chiefs and Royals, Kansas has made sure it remains firmly in the hunt for one or both teams. 

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Kansas-Missouri stadium border war surrounding the NFL’s Chiefs and MLB’s Royals is set to continue, at least for a few more months, extending and heightening the drama around one of the most-watched facility deliberations in sports. 

A bipartisan group of Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously Monday to keep in place a framework for stadium bonds, called Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds, that was originally passed last year. Those bonds had been set to expire on June 30, but the vote now legally extends the deadline by a year, to the same date in 2026. Kansas officials, however, have said they want a decision from the teams by the end of this year. 

The Kansas funding, aimed at turning the state into a “professional sports powerhouse” in the words of Gov. Laura Kelly, would provide up to 70% of the cost of the stadiums for one or both of the teams. 

“Although I don’t like having to extend the statute for this, I feel in fairness to the teams, it’s incumbent on us to make sure that we do things that are fair and above-board,” said Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins. 

Broader Considerations

The Chiefs, the NFL’s most-watched team on television and still an on-field power, are at the center of the Kansas bond deliberations as discussions continue with the state about the team potentially relocating across the border from Missouri to Kansas to build a new, domed stadium. Such a facility would be capable of hosting major events such as the Super Bowl and Final Four in addition to housing Chiefs games.

As the original expiration of the Kansas bond structure approached, the Chiefs asked state officials for more time as they determine their facility future and whether to leave Missouri. A large-scale renovation of the team’s current stadium, Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., is also an option, and Missouri officials recently approved their own funding mechanism that would aid in such an effort.

“The complexity and scale of the project—and the importance of crafting a structure that works for all stakeholders—make it clear that more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan recently wrote in a letter to Kansas legislators. 

The Chiefs previously had said they wanted to make a stadium decision “by summer at the latest,” but the recent moves in both states will extend that timeline. 

“It’s literally getting down to the final points and making sure that everybody’s in agreement on what we need to do, and that we have all the pieces lined up,” Donovan said of the forthcoming stadium decision.

The Royals, meanwhile, are continuing their own ballpark deliberations separate from the Chiefs, but more definitively plan to build a new facility to succeed Kauffman Stadium. Where that will be, though, remains an open question.

“Our focused discussions continue as we seek the best option for the future generational home of the Kansas City Royals,” the club said. “The extension of the Kansas STAR bond legislation enables us to continue our pursuit of the right choice for our fans, our organization, and our regional community.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Terry Rozier

NBA Union Says It Will Fight Decision to Withhold Rozier’s Pay

Rozier has one year and $26.3 million left on his contract.

Mavericks Accuse Stars of Holding Dallas Arena ‘Hostage’ in Lawsuit

The NBA team seized control of a joint company operating the American Airlines Center.
Oct 26, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III (35) and forward Kyshawn George (18) talk after a turnover against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Capital One Arena.
exclusive

Wizards Hire Ex-ESPN Editor Cristina Daglas for Front Office Role

ESPN placed Cristina Daglas on administrative leave in January.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

$100M Browns Stadium Settlement Still Faces Cleveland City Hurdles

Cleveland’s city council must still approve the pact with the Browns.
October 21, 2025

Jazz to Get New Training Facility on Same Campus As Mammoth

The company is developing a sports campus in Sandy, Utah.
Joey Bosa
October 22, 2025

Joey Bosa’s L.A. Home for Sale for $3.7 Million

The Bills defensive end purchased the home last July.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
October 16, 2025

Steelers’ Shared Stadium With Pitt Comes Under Fire for Bad Turf

The conditions at Acrisure Stadium have been subpar this season.
October 15, 2025

Bears Hit Another Speed Bump for New $5B Stadium in Suburbs

A new state bill would impose several conditions on the NFL team.
October 13, 2025

Browns, Cleveland Reach $100M Deal to Clear Team’s Move to Suburbs

The surprise truce includes financial payments and the dismissal of lawsuits.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of a Cleveland Browns helmet on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
October 7, 2025

Cleveland Takes New Shot at Blocking Browns’ $2.4B Stadium

A new lawsuit challenges a permit for the NFL team’s planned stadium.