Kansas lawmakers granted the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals an extra year to decide on potential stadium deals, extending a June 30 deadline to 2026 as both franchises weigh competing offers from Kansas and Missouri.
The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council voted Monday to push back the deadline for its STAR bonds package, which would cover up to 70% of stadium construction costs. The extension comes after Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested more time in a letter to Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, citing the "complexity and scale of the project".
The extension gives both franchises nearly a full year to evaluate offers from Kansas and Missouri, whose lawmakers approved a competing package in June that would fund up to 50% of stadium costs1. Missouri's commitment caps tax revenue at $1.5 billion, while Kansas uses STAR bonds that rely on economic activity generated by the developments to repay investors23.
Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins blamed delays on Kansas's Department of Commerce, led by Democratic Lt. Gov. David Toland2. "Although I don't like having to extend the statute for this, I feel in fairness to the teams, it's incumbent on us to make sure that we do things that are fair and above-board," Hawkins said during Monday's meeting2.
Donovan indicated the Chiefs hadn't received responses to their latest proposal from Kansas commerce officials in six weeks23. The Chiefs envision a domed stadium complex that could host Super Bowls, along with new headquarters and practice facilities45.
Both teams currently play at the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, where their leases expire in January 203112. The Royals have explored multiple sites, including purchasing a mortgage on property in Overland Park, Kansas, while also considering Missouri locations34.
The teams began seeking alternatives after Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax extension in April 2024 that would have funded stadium renovations and relocations15. That defeat prompted Kansas lawmakers to create their STAR bonds offer, reigniting what Missouri officials called an economic "border war"1.
Local officials say they remain in the dark about team preferences. "There is only one entity that knows what's happening, and that's the Royals," Clay County Commissioner Scott Wagner told KCUR3.
The Royals insist they won't renew their Kauffman Stadium lease beyond 2031, creating pressure to finalize plans within six years for site selection, deal negotiation and construction36. Teams have the option to extend leases until 2036 if new stadiums aren't completed by 20313.
