Clay County has a new tool to lure a Royals stadium. But questions still remain
When Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe traveled to a packed North Kansas City bar last month, he came to tout a bill that could clear the way for a Kansas City Royals stadium in the Northland.
“Should the Royals choose to come to this side of the river…we have the pieces in place,” the Republican governor told the gathering of reporters and local and statewide officials inside Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum in mid-July.
One of those pieces officially came into place on Thursday when the law signed by Kehoe took effect. But, even with the new tool at Clay County’s disposal, the future of the Royals remains in doubt.
“We’re just waiting to see what the Royals decide to do,” said Jason Withington, a Clay County commissioner.
The new law allows Clay County to create a governmental agency called a sports complex authority. The authority would be similar to the one in Jackson County that controls the leases for the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Supporters of the law viewed the authority as a key element in the ongoing fight to keep the teams in Missouri, potentially opening a path for a new Royals stadium or a Chiefs training facility in Clay County.
Interviews with Clay County officials on Thursday, however, illustrated the fact that more questions remain about the teams’ futures. Collectively, local leaders say they do not plan to create a new sports authority until they receive a commitment that the Royals are moving.
“We’re just kind of in a holding place, you know?” said Megan Thompson, another Clay County commissioner.
The new law in Missouri comes amid intense speculation over the future homes of the Chiefs and Royals. Kansas and Missouri have fought over the right to house the teams, with both states passing dueling incentives packages.
Several potential sites have been floated for the Royals: the team’s current spot at Kauffman Stadium, downtown Kansas City, North Kansas City and locations across the state line in Kansas. But, despite the energy surrounding the dueling incentives plans, neither team has committed to either state.
Inside the new law
Withington made clear on Thursday that Clay County does not plan to create a sports authority or put a potential stadium tax proposal on the ballot until the county receives a commitment from the Royals.
“We haven’t had any discussion about, you know, creating one,” he said. “Before we even move forward with it, we want to have a team and a commitment from the Royals.”
Scott Wagner, another commissioner, said in a series of text messages to The Star that the authority requires a project before it can be formed.
“We’ll see if we get one,” he said.
Under the new law, a Clay County sports complex authority would be “for the purposes of developing, maintaining, or operating…sports, convention, exhibition, or trade facilities.”
The authority, if enacted, would operate as a state governmental agency with five commissioners appointed by Kehoe. Some supporters have argued that even if the authority doesn’t lure one of the teams, it could still help Clay County’s tourism economy.
But state lawmakers would be able to fund up to $3 million for the authority’s operations if the authority secures a professional sports team from the NFL, NHL or the American League of the MLB.
A spokesperson for the Royals did not respond to a request for comment.
Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat who helped craft the sports authority bill, said she remained optimistic about the Royals coming to Clay County. She acknowledged, however, the dearth of information about the team’s plans.
“There’s a lot of rumors, a lot of speculation right now,” said Nurrenbern, who added that the team could become more focused on stadium discussions after the MLB season ends.
However, not every local official is keen on the idea of the Royals moving to the Northland.
JoAnn Lawson, a Clay County commissioner, said she does not feel like the team has negotiated with Clay County in good faith. She pointed to discussions with the team in previous years ahead of the failed stadium tax vote in April of last year.
“Just make a darn decision, whatever it is, and let’s get on with it,” Lawson said.
While there may be positives for Clay County if the Royals decide to move north, Lawson predicted that the county won’t see a large influx of revenue for some time as the stadium is being built.
“If the majority want it, and if the people vote for it, then I’ll work my fanny off to make it work,” Lawson said. “But until that time comes that they are ready to seriously make a commitment and work with us…I’m not overly excited about it.”
