The Kansas City Chiefs are a hot topic at the annual NFL Spring meetings. Following a demoralizing Super Bowl loss, the focus on 2025 is underway, but so is the big question: Will the Chiefs leave Missouri?
No, this isn’t an April Fool’s article! There are strong indications that the Kansas City Chiefs could announce a proposed stadium site in Kansas City, Kansas, in the coming months. With the Star Bonds expected to retire in Wyandotte County at the end of June, the Chiefs, and perhaps the Kansas City Royals, must make their intentions known before July 1st.
Missouri and Jackson County’s struggles to retain both franchises are no secret. While the Royals explore multiple options, the Chiefs either rebuild Arrowhead, expand it, or relocate to Kansas with a state-of-the-art, Super Bowl-sized dome cathedral.
The issue isn’t the money; the new stadium’s infrastructure provides revenue expansion for the Chiefs and the appropriate space to construct a state-of-the-art training facility, a Hall of Fame, shops, restaurants, housing, and possibly a casino hotel.
Clark Hunt addressed the media on Monday, confirming that he’ll announce the team’s plans in June. The Royals have expressed a similar stance.
However, the highlight for KCK politicians is securing the Chiefs. If the Royals arrive, well, that’s just a bonus.
Team President Mark Donovan, who is leading the discussions and negotiations, reiterated the timeline and said they know the upcoming deadlines.
“If you’re on either side of the table, you consider deadlines,” said Chiefs team president Mark Donovan. “That June 30th deadline in Kansas is significant.”
Missouri has had ample time to devise a plan to retain both franchises. Still, the Chiefs’ opportunity in Wyandotte County would enable them to host a Super Bowl, a Final Four, top-tier concerts, and numerous other revenue-generating events, including the NFL Combine.
That should not be lost on the purists who believe Arrowhead is the be-all and end-all of sports stadiums. However, sports is a business, and revenue matters. Let’s be honest about this process: stadiums can’t last forever.
The Truman Sports Complex has served its purpose. Today, it rests on a pile of old concrete without expansion and development connected to both stadiums.
No matter how you feel about the stadium conundrum, change is inevitable, and by the end of June, we’ll know where the Chiefs and Royals will begin their new chapter!
