Despite KC Mayor Quinton Lucas Insisting That the Chiefs Aren’t Going Anywhere, Texas’ Mayor Eric Johnson Looks to Take Advantage of Failed Vote

The citizens of Jackson County made their intentions clear in the stadium tax vote this Tuesday. The rejection of the proposed extension of the 3/8 cent sales tax spells an uncertain future for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.

The 40-year extension was proposed to fund the renovations of Arrowhead Stadium and build a ballpark. With the Kansas City mayor’s announcement of the resounding “No” in the vote by a 58% majority, the franchises would have to look into other options. However, the Dallas mayor, Eric Johnson, had an interesting reaction to the predicament.

Eric Johnson proposes Dallas Texans’ revival

Disappointment was in the air at the Royals and the Chiefs’ offices after the results of the vote were announced. Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his wishes to continue working with the teams and hosting them in Kansas City for years to come. “Over the months ahead, I look forward to working with the Chiefs and Royals to build a stronger, more open, and collaborative process that will ensure the teams, their events, and investments remain in Kansas City for generations to come.”

While dejected Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan affirmed their views in support of staying in the city, the teams have an array of decisions to make going forward. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt had a blunter approach before the voting and made the importance of adequate funding clear. Hunt said he “would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium.”

The ensuing mayhem caught the attention of the Dallas mayor, Eric L. Johnson, who had a jesty take of his own. Quoting a story of the voting results, the mayor wrote on X, “Welcome home, Dallas Texans!” Radio host Mark Davis also reposted the tweet that quoted Johnson’s wish to have another NFL team in the city.

Johnson has been vocal about his desire to have another NFL team to represent North Texas and had spoken about the idea to Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones in 2022. “We need an AFC team that plays in southern Dallas,” the mayor said, as per WFAA. His light-hearted proposal of the Dallas Texans brings to light Kansas City’s old connection with the city.

The mayor’s reminder of the Chiefs’ roots

Fans have been familiar with the red and gold colors of the Chiefs since time immemorial. But few might know that the franchise was actually an offshoot of the 1952 team, Dallas Texans. Sporting blue and white colors, the team played only one season in the league and later disbanded. A new team emerged from the remnants, the Baltimore Colts. It was in 1960 that the AFL and NFL finally reunited with Dallas.

The NFL version was the team we know today, the Cowboys, while the AFL had the Dallas Texans. The AFL venture later moved to Kansas City and was rebranded as the Chiefs three years later.

As the lack of funding crystal clear after Tuesday’s voting, the Chiefs have some serious brainstorming to do. Either the team can formulate a new plan to appease the voters or move to another city. With Mayor Eric Johnson waiting to welcome the four-time Super Bowl winner back to their birthplace, it will be interesting to see what route the franchise owners choose.

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