• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Chiefs’ President Threatens Team Could Leave Kansas City If Voters Don’t Give It Money

  • The Chiefs could explore leaving town, claims Mark Donovan, if a sales tax to fund stadium renovations doesn’t pass April 2.
  • Tales of how cheap the Super Bowl champions’ ownership is have dominated the offseason.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Could a dynasty be on the move? 

Chiefs president Mark Donovan didn’t rule it out during an interview on local television in which he advocated for voters to raise a regional sales tax and give his business the proceeds. 

Appearing on KSHB 41 in Kansas City, Donovan was asked about an April 2 vote to extend a sales tax of ⅜ cents through 2064 to fund a new Royals ballpark downtown and improvements to Arrowhead Stadium. According to the station, the team wants to add a canopy to its upper deck, fans and heating, a parking deck, and a bridge to connect the upper concourse, among other upgrades. The team says the upgrades would cost an estimated $800 million. 

The Hunt family, the team’s longtime owners, would like to contribute just $300 million to those renovations despite being worth an estimated $25 billion. Asked about taxpayers having to fund the improvements, Donovan said the ballot vote is an extension of existing taxes rather than a new one. That’s where he shifted his tone on the ramifications for the Chiefs and Royals should it not pass. 

“I can’t answer that for the Royals,” Donovan said. “I just know for us, the Chiefs, we would just have to look at all our options.”

“I think they would have to include leaving Kansas City,” Donovan responded in a follow-up question. “But our goal here is, we want to stay here. And we’re willing to accept a deal for the county to actually stay here.”

Following the team’s second consecutive Super Bowl title, the Chiefs’ offseason has been dominated by tales of their cheapness. Clark Hunt, the team’s chairman and CEO, placed 31st in an NFL Players Association poll out of 32 owners, getting an F- mark. In the poll, players said the team’s facilities, mainly the locker room and training room, are out-of-date. According to the poll, Hunt supposedly promised renovations after the 2022 season but then failed to deliver—outside of adding chairs by the players’ lockers.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fox, YouTube TV Reach Deal, Avoiding CFB Blackout

Saturday’s Texas-Ohio State college football game will be fully distributed

Micah Parsons Traded to Packers, Set to Sign Record 4-Year, $188M Deal

The Cowboys reportedly offered Parsons $40.5 million per year in March.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.

Coach Prime Enters Year 3 at Colorado With New Challenges

The Buffaloes have sold out their season tickets yet again.

As CFB Programs Add Corporate Field Logos, Are Jersey Patches Next?

Texas is adding a sponsor’s logo to its football field this season.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Rhyne Howard Calls Out Dream Fans for A’Ja Wilson ‘MVP’ Chants

The Las Vegas Aces overtook the Atlanta Dream in the standings.
United
August 28, 2025

Manchester United Knocked Out of Cup by Team With $2.6 Million Payroll

United’s team payroll is almost 100 times larger than Grimsby’s.
August 28, 2025

Connor McDavid: ‘All Options on Table’ As Historic Free Agency Looms

The Oilers superstar remains largely mum on his long-term plans.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Monica Wright
August 26, 2025

WNBA Expansion Teams Still in Dark As CBA Fight Drags On

Portland and Toronto won’t know the draft rules until a CBA is signed.
August 25, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends Stalemate for $14 Million Bengals Raise

The defensive end will make $30 million this season.
August 22, 2025

$2B A’s Vegas Stadium Hits Milestones, on Track for 2028

Construction progress and costs pick up in the Las Vegas project.
August 21, 2025

Amid Dream Season, Valkyries Face Potential Playoff Arena Conflict

The Valkyries are seventh in the WNBA standings.