• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Relocation? Contracts? Chiefs Tackle Distractions in Quest for Three-Peat

  • The Chiefs open the NFL season Thursday night against the Ravens.
  • Kansas City could become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As the Chiefs embark on the historic opportunity to become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, it’s taking a true franchise-wide effort to block the outside noise and accomplish the goal at hand.

“Our job is to eliminate those distractions from the football team,” Mark Donovan, who leads Kansas City’s business efforts as team president, tells Front Office Sports. But it’s not always that simple. “You can’t ignore it,” Donovan says of three-peat talk. “So, we have been pretty aggressive and strategic on: How can we utilize this opportunity?” 

Before accepting any off-field opportunity—another sponsor, media partner, etc.—the Chiefs evaluate whether it will attract the right attention. “You can imagine the opportunities that have come across our desk since last year are significant,” Donovan says. “And you’ve got to take a measured approach to that. We’ve got to take advantage of the right ones. We’ve gotta execute them the right way. But we also have to turn down a lot.”

Home Sweet Home

Another potential distraction the Chiefs dealt with over the offseason was a sticky stadium situation. The franchise is keeping its options open after voters in Jackson County, Mo., nixed a proposed sales tax measure to fund Arrowhead Stadium renovations. Since then, Kansas officials have tried to lure the NFL team across the state line.

While there’s no deadline in place to solidify a stadium plan, Donovan admits the Chiefs’ lease expiring in early 2031 makes things tight. “We’re going to need a place to play that next season,” he says. “If you do that timeline: If you’re renovating the stadium, it’s four or five years. If you’re building a new stadium with infrastructure, new site, and everything else, it’s probably five or six years.”

Conversations are continuing, evidenced by the Chiefs’ annual kickoff luncheon last week being attended by governors from both Missouri and Kansas for the first time.

Cash Flow

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has said his franchise—which Forbes ranked as the 24th-most-valuable in the NFL at $4.85 billion—isn’t thinking about adding a private equity investor right now. But that could change down the road, as ownership groups across the league look for more liquidity and flexibility.

“Certain clubs are going to look at it as a way to help finance their investment, whether it’s a stadium or something else,” Donovan says of the NFL’s new private equity policy. “And it’s something that we will look at in the future.”

International Flair

Last season, the Chiefs played in the NFL’s first game in Frankfurt, Germany. Donovan says Kansas City would love to go back abroad, if given the chance. “One of the challenges with playing again in Germany is a lot of teams have seen the success that we and other franchises have had, and everybody’s getting in line to play,” he says.

The Chiefs rank near the top of the league in revenue generated from international sponsors, per Donovan, boosted by several multi-year corporate deals with German brands.

Whether it’s in Europe, Kansas City, or anywhere else, the Chiefs are embracing the spotlight as two-time defending Super Bowl champions. “Everybody talks about the stress and the pressure of being in a position like this,” Donovan says. “We look at it—and I know this team looks at it—differently. They look at it as: We worked really hard to be in this position, let’s go take advantage of it.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

As TNT NBA Era Ends, Charles Barkley Calls ESPN Move an ‘Honor’

TNT’s final NBA game was Pacers–Knicks on Saturday night.

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

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Rangers Football Club

49ers Venture Arm Buys 2nd Soccer Team With Rangers FC Deal

49ers Enterprises also owns Premier League club Leeds United.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
Oct 27, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) walks down the court during a time out during the first half at Paycom Center.

Pacers, Thunder Both Built Finals Teams Off Trading Paul George

George is a key piece of trivia in this year’s NBA Finals.
May 30, 2025

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.
June 1, 2025

WNBA Championship Ring Boom: ‘Way Bigger. Way More Diamonds’

The Liberty’s WNBA championship ring value soared to $60,000.
Sponsored

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

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
May 29, 2025

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Sha'Carri Richardson
May 29, 2025

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Start-Up Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of “advisor owners” with equity in the league.
May 29, 2025

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.