100+ Kansas Citians weigh in on Chiefs’ move to Kansas: ‘Betrayed,’ ‘excited’
Kansas City Chiefs fans had a lot to say about the team’s announcement to move to Wyandotte County in 2031.
Leaders from the team and Kansas announced their move to the Sunflower State on Monday, Dec. 22. The move includes building a domed stadium, a mixed-use entertainment district, a new team headquarters and training facility.
The agreement to bring over the Chiefs takes the state to the next level, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement.
“With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family,” Kelly said in a statement. “This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”
Although more information is revealed, such as the cost of the development and how the state will pay for it, fans chimed in with their thoughts on the move. The Star received over 100 responses, with responses ranging from excitement to betrayal.
Of the 101 responses, 54 said “no” when it came to the question of “Should the Chiefs move to Kansas?” A few of those “no” responses added that the deal is already done and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
Eight responses were ambivalent, stating that they don’t care where it goes as long as it keeps the Chiefs in the Kansas City metro. 18 answered “yes.” Other responses included the following:
- “Good riddance to welfare billionaires.”
- “I just don’t see any real beneficial economic gains to move on this side of the state line other than fattening up the pockets of the rich and the famous.”
- “Not its location. It was a great stadium in a really bad location.”
- “Maybe. As long as they don’t price out long time fans with higher ticket prices and personal seat licenses.”
Here’s what you, the readers, said.
‘Seems like a no-brainer’
Mike Murrell said the Chiefs’ move to Kansas should have happened long before now.
“Seems like a no-brainer to me,” Murrell said. “There is plenty of room for a world-class stadium and associated businesses as well as a great entertainment district.”
He also said that he’s skeptical every time politicians say the stadium construction won’t cost taxpayers in Johnson and Wyandotte counties a penny. Braeden Johnson is also skeptical as a taxpayer, but is happy as a Kansas resident to see the team move across the state line.
Kansas has agreed to issue $1.8 billion in sales tax and revenue, or STAR bonds, to fund construction of the domed stadium in Wyandotte County. They also plan to issue up to $975 million in STAR bonds to support a privately owned mixed-use development around the stadium and a new training facility and team headquarters in Olathe.
Frances Otto agreed with the Hunts’ decision to move to Kansas and is glad the Chiefs are staying within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Michael Jaromin said he’s happy to not have to pay the additional Franklin County sales tax anymore.
Betrayed by the Hunt family
Mark Steadman summed up the feelings of many Chiefs fans who answered the callout in one word: betrayal.
“I feel betrayed!” Steadman said. “There is no other word that fits what Clark Hunt and his billions have done to the citizens of Kansas City, MISSOURI!”
Terri Ellington said the Chiefs announcing their move felt like someone whose partner cheated on them.
Without the Arrowhead atmosphere, Steven Yapper said he’s not planning to go to a game or event at the new stadium after it opens.
Herb Shanks said he’s very disappointed, but not in the least surprised. Gary Sage is sad that the cross border “truce” has been broken, and that it opens the prospect of millions of dollars of public funds being wasted on moving an existing business a few miles from one state to the other.
Even though Diane Capps hates football, she’s still mad at the Chiefs, calling them traitors.
Seeing the Hunt family leave Arrowhead and its legacy behind is “sickening and sad” to John Poehlman.
“In a time of very few values, morals or loyalty it makes perfect sense the Chiefs and Hunt family would make such a move,” Poehlman said. “Turning their backs on 50 years of support, tailgaters and a huge fan base for more money.”
Lori Eltzholtz kept it short: The Chiefs are dead to her.
“I will never watch them or root for them again,” Eltzholtz said. “They are betrayers, disloyal.”
Excited for the next chapter
While many are upset at the Chiefs moving to Wyandotte County, others are excited to have the team in Kansas with a domed stadium, like Mike Norrton. He’s hopeful to see the new stadium host events like a Super Bowl or NCAA men’s basketball tournament Final Four, and future college football bowl games.
“Excited to enjoy the Chiefs without the freezing cold and with all the Legends amenities,” Mike Norrton said.
Tim Brady is a lifelong Kansan and Chiefs fan, and his suggestion for the first artist to perform in the stadium? Taylor Swift.
Brady said that even though he’s going to miss Arrowhead, he’s hopeful the new stadium can create the same ambiance.
“I’m excited for our state,” Brady said. “This will help put Kansas on the national map for generations to come.”
Kevin Johnson said he lived about 3 miles from Arrowhead when it was being built, and now the new stadium will be built less than three miles from where he spent his teenage years. He said the news was great and that he thinks Kansas will treat the Chiefs right.
Growing up in a family that has had season tickets since the Chiefs played at Municipal Stadium, Kevin Sullivan said he’s excited for the next chapter and that the team needed a new stadium.
Mark Curry’s also had season tickets for that long, and he said he’s looking forward to the future in a new, modern, climate-controlled state-of-the-art stadium.
“Better than losing the team to a Portland or San Antonio or Oklahoma City,” Curry said. “Still in Kansas City albeit the ‘other’ Kansas City.”
