KC Chiefs Release Statement Regarding Future at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
The Kansas City Royals' public search for their next home has been tumultuous, including multiple proposed stadium sites, disagreements among local politicians, and multiple delays to a process that was supposed to have a final decision by late September 2023. With the Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead Stadium set up across the parking lot, the Chiefs have been quieter as the Royals' process plays out.
On Friday, the two teams released a joint statement regarding their shared "commitment to staying in Jackson County if Jackson County voters approve an extension of the 3/8-cent sales tax on a ballot initiative this April" and a few details about the teams' plans.
Many of the details are directly related to the Royals' move and financial details regarding insurance coverages, property tax, and a community benefits agreement. For the full statement, click here. For the Chiefs, however, this statement reaffirms what Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and team president Mark Donovan have said previously: the Chiefs plan to stay at Arrowhead Stadium with the help of significant renovations.
"Under the agreement, the Chiefs will conduct an extensive renovation to iconic Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals will build a new downtown stadium and privately fund a $1 billion ballpark district."
This is not the end of the two teams' journeys, but it is a joint statement that shows both teams uniting on what their current first choices would be if Jackson County agrees to the terms.
As noted by The Kansas City Star, the Jackson County Legislature will vote on two stadium sales-tax ballot measures on Monday. One ballot measure would meet the team's requests, extending the 3/8-cent sales tax for 40 years. The other would put a 3/16-cent sales tax on the ballot, extending for 25 years and only benefitting the Chiefs. If either measure passes, it would be on the April ballot for voters.
However, Jackson County Executive Frank White released a statement Friday evening noting that "while discussions are ongoing, no agreement has been finalized with either team."
