Yes vote ‘ensures’ KC Chiefs will remain in Jackson County, says owner Clark Hunt
In a message to Jackson County residents posted on the team website, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt has taken his plea for a “Yes” vote on April 2 to the voters.
“We are excited to continue this decades-long relationship with you — the voters and taxpayers of Jackson County — and we hope you are equally excited to continue building on this great opportunity,” Hunt said. “On April 2, a YES vote on Question 1 ensures that Chiefs football will remain at Arrowhead Stadium, and that Arrowhead will remain one of the most iconic stadiums in all of sports.”
Jackson County voters will decide on a 3/8-cent sales tax that will support renovations at Arrowhead Stadium and help pay for a new ballpark for the Royals in the Crossroads District. The tax is expected to generate $2 billion over 40 years and will be split evenly between the the Chiefs and Royals.
In his message, Hunt emphasized that the teams are asking to “extend” the the current agreement. The original 3/8-cent sales tax to improve the stadiums was passed in 2006 with 53 percent of the vote.
Hunt calls this a “better deal for taxpayers and fans” and says it “benefits every citizen of Jackson County.”
“We are delivering historic benefits for the community, as well as keeping our nearly $1 billion of annual economic impact in the region, including $572.3 million every year in Jackson County.”
Hunt noted that several NFL teams have relocated or built new stadiums in recent years. Arrowhead, which opened in 1972, is the NFL’s third oldest stadium, behind Chicago’s Soldier Field and Green Bay’s Lambeau Field.
“Over that same time frame, the Chiefs have committed to Jackson County, the team has brought home multiple championships and Arrowhead has earned the right to host the largest tournament on the planet, FIFA World Cup 2026,” Hunt said.
Also on Friday, the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation endorsed the tax in a letter from its Board of Directors:
“This is a pivotal moment in time for Kansas City,” the endorsement letter read. “Professional sports teams are critical drivers for tax revenue, hotel room nights, publicity and community building. We are committed to Kansas City continuing to prosper for decades to come.”
This story was originally published March 29, 2024 at 1:08 PM.