Kansas lawmakers are working on a plan to fund new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. The proposal includes temporary changes to the STAR Bonds program to attract professional sports franchises from the NBA, NHL, NFL, or MLB. This plan would only allow for two stadium projects, with a minimum investment of $1 billion and stadiums seating at least 30,000 spectators. Practice facilities are also required for the teams.
The stadiums and facilities do not need to be built in the same location. Kansas Representative Sean Tarwater emphasized the importance of sending a positive message to the sports community after Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax that would have helped fund stadium projects for the teams. The Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt has indicated that the team is exploring options outside of Jackson County, prompting Kansas lawmakers to push for a solution.
Kansas is determined to remain an attractive destination for professional sports teams. Efforts to finalize the details of the funding package were expected to continue at the Kansas Capitol in Topeka. Lawmakers are committed to securing funding for new stadiums that will benefit both the Chiefs and Royals, ensuring that Kansas remains competitive in attracting top talent and driving economic growth in the region.