The Missouri Legislature has completed its approval of a stadium funding bill for the NFL’s Chiefs and MLB’s Royals, marking the biggest political statement to date from the Show Me State in the team’s long-running facility sagas.
After the state Senate last week approved a measure that would allow the teams to bond against their state tax payments, in turn funding up to half of new or renovated stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals, the Missouri House of Representatives voted Wednesday afternoon by a 90–58 count to send the bill to Gov. Mike Kehoe.
A signature is expected soon there, as he has led an effort to keep the teams from moving to neighboring Kansas. That state last year approved a somewhat similar bond initiative that funds up to 70% of stadium costs for the teams, but that provision expires at the end of the month without an extension.
The approval, however, followed several hours of often-intense debate, with many legislators challenging public support for pro teams owned by billionaires, as well as various technical elements of the bill. Ultimately, though, a clear majority of representatives supported the bill as a means to retain the teams and the economic and psychic benefits they provide to the Kansas City area and state overall.
“This is a zero-sum game. If we lose [the teams], the revenue we’re worried about no longer exists [in Missouri],” said Rep. Keri Ingle. “The fact that we’d be willing to forgo that, I know we’re smarter than this.”
Ingle also touted the “cultural phenomenon” of the current Chiefs run of success, led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce—heavily involving the stardom of pop sensation Taylor Swift—and what it means to the Kansas City area.
“We’re no longer flyover country,” she said.
The legislative approval in Missouri marks a big turnaround after voters in Jackson County strongly rejected a sales tax measure last year to help fund stadium work.
On the Clock
The competing legislation in Missouri and Kansas now places the issue more firmly back in the hands of the teams. The Chiefs and Royals have each been seeking to upgrade from their current facilities, but are weighing a series of additional considerations, including mixed-use development opportunities, and in the case of the Chiefs, the possibility of a domed facility and the additional events that an indoor stadium of that size could bring to Kansas City.
Local measures would also be needed to complete any stadium deal with either team, and neither the Chiefs nor the Royals has committed to staying in Missouri.
“We are grateful to Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Legislature for taking this significant step forward,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “The passing of this legislation is an important piece of the overall effort. While there’s still work to be done, this legislation enables the Chiefs to continue exploring potential options to consider remaining in Missouri.”
