Kansas City Lawmakers Draft Bill to Lure Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs Across State Line

The Border War is alive and well at the Missouri Capitol. Leading political ventures have stepped up their attempts to circle the Missouri-Kansas border. Proposing to work with Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City, they’ve created a plan that’d state bonds to pay for a new stadium in Kansas. 

In a letter dated May 23rd, Kansas leaders approached the Chiefs’ Chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt, to discuss the concept of a new stadium in Kansas. Speaker of the Kansas House Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson then announced—on June 18, a special session will be held to discuss a draft bill (a new law) to make it happen. 

According to KCTV5, Kansas lawmakers decided against voting on the $1B bonds needed to lure both sports teams across county lines from their current Missouri location. Despite delaying the vote, many Republicans in Kansas remain scheming. However, since then, everyone from Dallas’ mayor to the politicians, has conspired to throw their hats in the ring. 

Therefore, the Chiefs’ legislators wish to give the public large tax cuts before giving some of the wealthiest Americans millions of government dollars. As Ty Masterson admitted, “It was just a concern of running it (the vote) before we gave real tax relief to our constituents – kind of that juxtaposed look of what appears to be corporate welfare before you’re getting tax relief to the people.”

Hawkins, Masterson, and other members of the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature supported a plan. This would use sales and alcohol tax money collected in a specific area surrounding the stadium to pay off bonds for a new stadium. It would be comparable to the way Mahomes’ Kansas City, Kansas officials, and the state-funded the development of the Kansas Speedway, home of NASCAR, and a nearby retail and entertainment complex.

The two teams’ existing lease on the complex is set to expire on January 31, 2031. Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs desire to stay at Arrowhead Stadium, but Royals owner John Sherman has stated that the team will not play at Kauffman Stadium after the 2030 season. This implies Mahomes’ team has to find a new stadium to play in after their lease expires. 

With the Chiefs left to find a new home, how will Kansas residents react to subsidizing a new stadium? This uncertainty, however, isn’t just political—it throws a wrench into the hearts of passionate fans. 

Fans clash over stadium showdown: How losing the Chiefs could split the heart of Kansas City

The whole Missouri-Kansas stadium drama has split the hearts of fans. Mahomes’ Chiefs and Royals’ supporters expressed their opinions on social media with many different responses. A selection of the comments were made on Facebook, Reddit, and X. 

One X user wrote, “I’m not sure why everyone believes that the Chiefs will easily win Wyandotte County. If it went to a vote, I think it would be a very steep hill.” Another fan wrote on Facebook, “I have no problem with the Royals building a new stadium and I have no problem with them using tax dollars for it. I just don’t want it in the crossroads. There is plenty of vacant land around KC and in the Truman Sports Complex.”

A third shared on Reddit: “Invest in The K like Mr. Kauffman did. That’s what fans want, anybody else concerned about amenities isn’t at the game for baseball.”

Overall, Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are in limbo as both Missouri and Kansas debase stadium plans, financing options, and possible tax implications. While a new stadium in Kansas appears appealing, fan sentiments, political obstacles, and uncertain time lines add complexity to the situation.