How Kansas City Royals players & manager Matt Quatraro reacted to stadium renderings
Kansas City Royals captain Salvador Perez couldn’t believe his eyes. The latest renderings of the Royals’ new stadium proposal caught his attention.
Perez marveled at both potential stadium designs — one for each possible selection site. Then, he promptly wondered what a lot of Royals fans might have been quietly thinking.
“Hopefully they do it before I retire,” Perez said with a laugh.
The Royals provided an update regarding their stadium proposal on Tuesday afternoon. Team personnel also answered questions regarding two potential stadium locations: East Village near the downtown loop and North Kansas City.
Both locales feature unique amenities. An entertainment district is also expected to attract more fans and local businesses. The Royals plan to construct a multipurpose venue in a similar fashion as Wrigleyville near Wrigley Field and The Battery near Truist Park.
The entire development is expected to cost nearly $2 billion, split between the stadium and entertainment district.
“It looked packed out in the pictures,” Royals rookie Alec Marsh said. “I think it’s exciting having something new and something for the fans to look forward to. Having a new stadium and bringing back a championship would be cool.”
The Royals hope to decide on a final location by the end of September. The proposed stadium is slated to open by the 2028 season.
“It would be our desire to have a new location up and running Opening Day 2028,” Brooks Sherman, Royals president of business operations, said.
The Royals, which are currently in a rebuild, hope to field a competitive team before a new stadium opens its doors.
Regarding the current season, several young players have received an opportunity to earn playing time. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has looked like an MLB superstar, while Marsh and fellow pitcher Cole Ragans have flashed starting potential.
“It’s probably the biggest part of the whole thing,” Royals second baseman Michael Massey said. “You can have the coolest stadium in the world, but you have to have guys that are committed to winning.
“We’ve certainly got to do a better job as players of making that happen. That’s what really brings the energy to the stadium. The team and their success.”
Kauffman Stadium has many features that endear it to the fan base. Main attractions include the fountains and the Crown Vision scoreboard. Marsh hopes the proposed new stadium will continue with those traditions.
“It’s almost iconic when you think of the Royals’ stadium,” Marsh said. “The scoreboard is kind of the first thing you think of.”
Quatraro is excited to see the final product. He felt the renderings were a nice look at what could be coming in the future.
“I thought they were unique and the two designs are completely different,” Quatraro said. “It’s cool we have two sites, and the Royals did a good job of exploring them.”
Perez agreed. He will be 38 years old during the 2028 season but didn’t rule out a chance to suit up in the new stadium.
“In five years … yeah,” Perez said, “why not.”
This story was originally published August 22, 2023 at 9:15 PM.
