• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Recent on-field success by the Chiefs and Royals has been a significant unifying force in the Kansas City area. So, too, is political opposition across Missouri to public funding for new or upgraded homes for the teams.

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Even in a sharply divided political climate, opposing stadium funding has become a bipartisan issue, at least in Missouri. 

Soon after Gov. Mike Kehoe called a June 2 special legislative session, in part to review a potential stadium bond measure for the NFL’s Chiefs and MLB’s Royals, opposition has mounted from both the political right and left to the effort and potentially could derail it. 

The state’s conservative Freedom Caucus has said it is a “hard no” on what it considers a billionaire bailout. The bill under consideration would allow the teams to bond up to the annual amount they generate in state tax revenue over 30 years, in turn funding up to half of new or upgraded stadiums. The caucus, however, is seeking broad-based tax relief and has threatened to tie up the bill in procedural blocks.

“If Gov. Kehoe and legislative leaders insist on using taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars for a half billion-dollar (or more) handout to billionaire sports team owners in a standalone bill, the Missouri Freedom Caucus will vote against such a proposal and will consider utilizing any tools at its disposal to stop it,” the organization said.

Democrats, meanwhile, have a separate objection that Kehoe’s bills for the special session include just $25 million in emergency disaster recovery funds for a St. Louis area that was recently battered by tornadoes—an amount far less than what’s contemplated for the stadiums.

“The [stadium] conversation can’t even begin until serious disaster relief is considered,” state Sen. Stephen Webber told the Missouri Independent. “Why do I care about a billionaire’s stadium when people have lost their homes? There’s absolutely no way we’re going to serve a billionaire a feast and leave crumbs for people who just lost their homes. That’s not happening.”

The Missouri sports consideration is happening as Kansas has already made competing pitches to bring the Chiefs and Royals across the state border. The Kansas bond program, signed last year and standing as a key part of that state’s pitch for the teams, expires June 30, further adding to the drama set to build in the coming weeks. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has said he intends to settle the team’s future stadium plans “by summer at the latest.”

Intrigue in Illinois

A separate NFL stadium consideration, meanwhile, is carrying its own heightened drama. As the Bears are turning their attention back to suburban Arlington Heights as a site for a new domed stadium, there is reportedly more discussion happening with state officials about potential public funding than previously understood. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has previously and tersely said, “Right now, there’s no building any new stadiums” in the state. A new report in the Chicago Tribune, however, said Pritzker has spent $100,000 in public funds on an outside legal consultant to aid in discussions with the Bears. The team, meanwhile, has brought in an outside adviser with ties to the governor and other top Democratic state leaders. 

Whether that leads to any sort of actual legislation remains to be seen, particularly as the Bears have sought taxpayer help for roughly half of a proposed $4.7 billion project, and political resistance in Illinois will likely mirror what’s happening in Missouri. Dialogue, however, is happening.

“The governor’s office felt it was important to conduct due diligence and fully understand all the facts that could impact state taxpayers,” Pritzker spokesman Matt Hill told the Tribune.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.
opinion

ESPN-NFL Deal Still Contends With a Wild Card: Trump’s Approval

Negotiations between the NFL and Disney have been ongoing for four years

Commanders Seal Stadium Deal As D.C. Approves $1.1B in Funding

The NFL team’s return to its prior home receives key political support.

Belichick Bump Creating Record UNC Ticket Prices

The cost of seeing the NFL legend’s college coaching debut is soaring.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.

Browns Push Forward on $2.4B Stadium Despite Political Obstacles

The NFL team plans a stadium groundbreaking, despite funding and legal issues.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
July 28, 2025

Chicago Sky Sell Out United Center With Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Out

The Sky announced 19,601 fans attended the game at the United Center.
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.
July 29, 2025

$3.8B Commanders Stadium On Track for D.C. Approval

D.C. continues two days of public hearings on a proposed Commanders stadium.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 25, 2025

Prospective Rays Owner Must Start Fresh As $1.3B Stadium Deal Ends

St. Petersburg, Fla., officials formally terminate a prior ballpark agreement.
July 25, 2025

Eagles Turn to Their Fans As They Consider Future Stadium Plans

The defending Super Bowl champions are surveying season-ticket holders.
Jul 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox fans cheer after a home run by Boston Red Sox designated hitter Wilyer Abreu (52) during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Fenway Park.
July 25, 2025

Fenway Concession Workers Go on Strike for Dodgers Series

They’re asking fans not to buy food and drink at the games.
July 24, 2025

Commanders Restructure $3.8B Stadium Pact Ahead of Council Vote

A D.C. Council vote on the proposed stadium is now set for Aug. 1.