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Chiefs and Royals Stadium Negotiations Advance as Key Kansas Meeting Approaches
Kansas lawmakers are preparing for a crucial Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) meeting on Monday that could significantly impact the future home locations of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. The meeting represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing stadium negotiations that have captured attention across the Kansas City metro area.
In July, Kansas legislators extended the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds legislation through June 30, 2026, at the request of officials from both professional sports franchises. This extension established a January 1, 2026 deadline for the teams to submit formal STAR bond proposals for potential stadium projects in Kansas.
Monday’s meeting has gained additional significance following a statement released Thursday by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson regarding the Royals’ intentions.
“Senate President Masterson believes the Kansas City Royals are fully committed to Kansas, which fulfills their obligation regarding the advanced timeline given from the LCC,” a spokesperson for Masterson said. “While their location proposal continues to evolve, it will not be finalized or considered this year or during the upcoming legislative session.”
Masterson’s comments suggest the Royals are unlikely to attend Monday’s meeting but have apparently satisfied the LCC’s preliminary requirements for consideration. The statement makes no mention of the Chiefs’ status for the meeting.
Adding to the speculation, the Kansas Department of Commerce issued a statement Thursday indicating active negotiations with the Chiefs about a potential relocation.
“The state of Kansas is in active discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs about the prospects of building a new stadium and other facilities in Kansas,” the Department said. “No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come. We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”
The timing and nature of these statements have created confusion about the exact implications of Monday’s meeting. KCTV5 has contacted multiple sources in both Kansas and Missouri seeking clarity, but an official agenda has not yet been released.
Industry analysts note that stadium relocations of this magnitude could represent billions in economic impact for the winning region. Professional sports franchises often leverage competing proposals to secure favorable financing terms for new facilities, which typically cost upwards of $1 billion for NFL stadiums and $500 million or more for MLB ballparks.
Late Thursday, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins issued a statement clarifying the timeline for decisions: “Just as a point of clarification, December 31st is the STAR Bond deadline. It’s been the deadline since the LCC voted on it and as Chair of the LCC next year, I can assure you that is not going to change. I hope both the Chiefs and the Royals can come to an agreement with the State by that date.”
Masterson followed with an updated statement of his own: “While I believe the Royals are committed to relocating to Kansas, this does not alter the procedural deadline set by the Legislative Coordinating Council for December 31, 2025.”
It’s important to note that if either team submits proposals to the LCC for STAR bond funding, this would signal serious interest in relocating but would not constitute an official commitment to leave Missouri. The STAR bonds program allows Kansas to issue bonds for major tourism and entertainment projects, with the bonds repaid through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.
Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas responded to the speculation with a measured statement: “Kansas City does not negotiate in public and will not change course today. As the City and our Missouri partners continue discussions with our long-term partners at the Chiefs and the Royals, we remain steadfast in working toward an arrangement in the best interest of our community and the greatest success of our teams on and off the field.”
Both franchises have deep historical ties to the Kansas City area, with the Chiefs playing at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972 and the Royals at Kauffman Stadium since 1973. Any potential relocation across the state line would represent a major shift in the regional sports landscape.
Neither the Chiefs nor the Royals have provided official statements regarding Monday’s meeting or their current negotiating positions. KCTV5 continues to monitor this developing story as the high-stakes stadium negotiations unfold.
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7 Comments
With the Chiefs and Royals both in the mix, this could turn into a bit of a bidding war between Kansas and Missouri. I hope they can find a compromise that works for everyone involved.
Stadiums can be expensive, so the state will need to weigh the costs and benefits carefully. Keeping professional sports teams is valuable, but the public funding has to make sense too.
The STAR bond extension gives the teams more time, but the January 2026 deadline adds some pressure. I wonder if both teams will submit formal proposals or if one may opt to move elsewhere.
The January 2026 deadline is quite soon. I wonder if the teams will need an extension or if they’ll be able to finalize their plans by then. This will be an interesting process to follow.
It’s understandable that the teams want to secure the best deal, but I hope they can find a solution that works for both Kansas and the franchises. Sports teams are valuable community assets.
Sounds like the Royals are leaning towards staying in Kansas, which is good news for the state. The Chiefs’ plans seem less certain though. This will be an important decision for the entire Kansas City metro area.
Interesting developments with the Kansas City sports teams’ stadium negotiations. I’m curious to see if they can reach a firm commitment to stay in Kansas. Location decisions like this can have big economic impacts.