Chiefs seek extension for Kansas stadium financing, raising possibility of move across state line

Lenexa, Kan. – The Kansas City chiefs asked for an extension to an end of June for a set of financing for the stadium of the state of Kansas, an indication that the potential movement of the NFL franchise through the state line of Missouri is a legitimate possibility.

The president of the chiefs Mark Donovan asked for the extension Thursday in a letter to the president of the Senate of Kansas, Ty Masterson, a copy of which was obtained by the Associated Press. Donovan explained that the chiefs have made “significant progress” in terms of levels for a new development of the stadium, but that more time is necessary to “make the effort in its own right”.

The Kansas Legislative Coordination Council should meet on July 7 to consider extending the deadline for incentive.

“Mark Donovan’s letter indicates that the desire to bring this historic project to Kansas is traveling on the ground,” said Masterson in a press release. “Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will offer stakeholders enough to ensure that the ball crosses the goal line.”

The Chiefs and the Royals played for more than five decades at the Truman sports complex in the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, where Stade Arrowhead and the Kauffman Stadium share parking lots. But leases with the county of Jackson had to expire in January 2031, and the two franchises have been trying to trace a course for years.

Donovan said in his letter to Masterson that Kansas remains an attractive option.

“Together”, he wrote, “we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class dome-shaped stadium, a new team head office, a cutting-edge training center and a dynamic mixed and entertainment district.”

Last year, Jackson County voters defeated an extension of the sales tax that would have helped finance a renovation of $ 800 million from Stade Arrowhead – La Maison des Chiefs – and a Bulletin District of $ 2 billion for the Royals in downtown Kansas City.

While local officials and the state of the Missouri envisaged another set of financing for the stadium, Kansas legislators quickly and aggressively authorized obligations for up to 70% of the cost of the new stadiums to build in their state.

Many thought that the chiefs and the Royals would use the Kansas offer as a lever effect for a better matter of the Missouri – including Kansas City, Missouri, the mayor Quinton Lucas, who recognized that “the teams are in an exceptional lever position”.

Finally, earlier this month, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe called on the legislators to a special session to approve a stadium financing agreement which included help in the event of a disaster for the Saint-Louis region, where a series of devastating tornadoes caused generalized damage. The legislation authorizes the obligations covering up to 50% of the cost of the new or renovated stages of the Missouri, more up to $ 50 million in tax credits for each stage and the unpertified aid of local governments.

The dominant belief was that the package would be sufficient to keep the heads of the Arrowhead stadium, where they made plans for a renovation of $ 1.15 billion, and perhaps keep the Royals, who are still interested in building the city center.

However, News surfaced about a month ago that a subsidiary of the Royals bought the mortgage on a large property in the suburbs of the south of Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas, raising the possibility of building a new stadium and a ball district.

And Donovan’s letter requesting an extension to the Kansas indicates that the chiefs are also serious about the switching of the States.

The owner of the chiefs, Clark Hunt, has long profited his affinity for Arrowhead Stadium, who was built by his father and founder of the Lamar Hunt team. But it is also very aware of the sources of income available by building a new dome -shaped stadium, including the possibility of welcoming the Super Bowl, the Final Four and other sporting events of marquee.

We do not know where the chiefs are built in Kansas, but one possibility is the junction of highways 435 and 70 in Kansas City, in Kansas. It is the site of the Kansas Speedway, a mixed residential and commercial district called The Legends, the domestic stadiums of the MLS Club Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Monarchs Minor League Baseball Club, as well as a casino, a large football training center and the infrastructure necessary to support a dome -shaped football stadium.

“We are delighted with the potential of this project, which would represent the largest economic development initiative in state history,” wrote Donovan in his letter on Thursday. “Just as important, the presence of an NFL franchise in (Kansas) will serve as a powerful engine for immediate and long -term growth – resulting in national attention, sustained tourism and billions more in private development through the State.”

___

The writer Associated Press John Hanna contributed by Topeka, Kansas.

___

AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports