Kansas lawmakers took a big step to attract the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals to their state by passing a major incentive package. The plan involves using state bonds to help finance new stadiums and practice facilities for both teams, potentially luring them away from Missouri.
Governor Laura Kelly expressed her support for the bipartisan effort, emphasizing the economic benefits of having professional sports teams like the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas. She sees this as an opportunity to boost the state’s economy and create new jobs through revenue generated by entertainment districts surrounding the stadiums.
This move comes after Missouri voters rejected a local sales tax that was used to maintain the teams’ current stadiums. Kansas lawmakers saw an opportunity to capitalize on this situation and make a compelling offer to the teams.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the leverage that the teams have in this negotiation. He is working on a plan to keep both teams in Missouri, but the state of Kansas is making a strong push to bring them across the border.
The plan involves using state bonds to cover a significant portion of the costs for new stadiums, with the intention of paying off the debt over 30 years using revenues from various sources, including sports betting, lottery sales, and new taxes from the surrounding entertainment districts.
Both the Chiefs and Royals have expressed their appreciation for the proactive efforts of Kansas lawmakers and are open to exploring the options presented by the legislation. They are committed to prioritizing the interests of their fans, employees, and the community as they consider their future home.
Overall, this incentive package represents a significant opportunity for Kansas to establish itself as a professional sports powerhouse, with the potential for the Chiefs and Royals to join Sporting KC as major league attractions. The economic impact of having these teams in the state could be substantial, bringing in new revenue and creating a vibrant sports culture in Kansas.
In conclusion, the passage of this incentive package marks a pivotal moment in the efforts to attract the Chiefs and Royals to Kansas. The state is making a strong case for why these teams should consider making the move, and it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds in the coming months.