Local

Four implications if KC’s teams move to Kansas suburbs

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

The articles address the possible move of Kansas City’s major sports teams, the Chiefs and Royals, to the Kansas suburbs. They discuss decisions facing local governments, the use of public tax dollars, and public opinion about stadium funding. They explore how such moves could affect the region’s economy and identity.

Kansas and Missouri officials debate incentives to keep or attract the teams. Wyandotte County leaders highlight available land and past successes with STAR bond-backed developments like the Kansas Speedway. Johnson County leaders consider what a new stadium project might mean for local growth. Missouri legislators question if another stadium tax vote is possible in Jackson County. Public sentiment leans skeptical about using tax money to fund new facilities, shown in a recent failed ballot measure. People also question the impact on culture and whether team owners should pay more of the cost themselves.

Football fans attend an NFL game in the first quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. By Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer

NO. 1: CHIEFS OR ROYALS IN THE ‘BURBS? WHAT WYANDOTTE, JOHNSON COUNTIES WANT FROM KS STADIUM DEAL

What are local leaders’ priorities as state lawmakers head into special session and are expected to weight a tax incentive to lure the teams across the state line? | Published June 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bill Lukitsch

John Sherman, owner of the Kansas City Royals, spoke after voters rejected the 40-year, 3/8th-cent sales tax which would have helped pay for a new Royals stadium in the Crossroads and renovations to the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. Sly James, former mayor of Kansas City, and Mark Donovan, president of the Kanas City Chiefs, looked on during the watch party at J. Rieger & Co., on Tuesday, April 2, in Kansas City. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 2: WILL JACKSON COUNTY PUSH BACK TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS IN MO? WHAT ANOTHER VOTE WOULD NEED

Two proposed sales tax ballot measures to support the Chiefs are boxed up in committee, and time is running out. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

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Royals owner John Sherman applauds his team during warm-ups ahead of a game against the before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. By Denny Medley/file photo

NO. 3: CONTRARY TO FALSE NARRATIVES, KC ROYALS OWNER JOHN SHERMAN IS CRUCIAL COMMUNITY PILLAR

Through the eyes of seven of the numerous beneficiaries of Royals owner John Sherman’s philanthropy, here’s the truth about his meaning to Kansas City. | Published September 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

Kansas City Hall at 414 E. 12th St., seen on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: KC COUNCIL WILL AUDIT CITY’S TRANSPARENCY AFTER LETTER FROM LOCAL MEDIA

The city council has directed the city auditor to examine the city’s communications office and make recommendations for greater transparency. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.