Kansas City Voters Reject Stadium Tax for Chiefs and Royals as Mayor Quinton Lucas Makes Strong Statement

Royals owner John Sherman has been busy on the campaign trail leading up to Election Day, which was set for Tuesday, April 2. In recent days, he has been actively engaging with various communities and groups across Kansas City. Sherman attended events at 18th and Vine, met with union labor, interacted with people in the Crossroads Arts District, visited churches on the East Side of KC, and even went door-to-door canvassing in South Kansas City.

His main goal has been to gather support for a 3/8th-cent sales tax extension lasting 40 years. This tax extension aimed to fund a new stadium for the Royals in the East Crossroads area and provide upgrades to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs. Alongside seeking support for the initiative, Sherman also wanted to understand people’s perspectives on the matter. And the results are in front of all!

Has Mayor Quinton Lucas changed his perspective?

On Tuesday, voters in Jackson County, Missouri, decisively rejected a ballot initiative to extend a sales tax. This tax extension aimed to ensure that the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs remained in the county for the next 25 years. Chiefs Mayor Quinton Lucas took to his official X account to reportedly show his acceptance and support for the KC people. He wrote, “The people of Kansas City and Jackson County love the Chiefs and the Royals. Today, they rejected plans and processes they found inadequate.”

Over 58% of voters opposed the plan, which would have replaced an existing sales tax used to maintain the Truman Sports Complex, home to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums, with a similar tax lasting 40 years. Earlier, Lucas announced his support for the sales tax extension vote. He made this announcement at a press conference, joined by the Chiefs President Mark Donovan, Royals CEO John Sherman, and union workers. The mayor emphasized that the vote was not just about the teams but also about the venues for big events, especially when other areas of the city may not be experiencing growth.

Lucas stressed that voting “yes” on the tax extension didn’t mean neglecting other city initiatives like affordable housing or road repairs. He emphasized that the city could invest in multiple areas simultaneously. However, now that the people of KC have decided their stance, Lucas has no option other than accepting his people’s choice.

Meanwhile, the Royals and the Chiefs had promised to put in their efforts for the project.

Millions pledged as a fund!

The Royals had promised to invest at least $1 billion in the ownership of their project, aiming to create a ballpark district worth over $2 billion. On the other hand, the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs had pledged $300 million in private funds for an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. Despite their efforts, the proposed sales tax extension was rejected by Jackson County voters. Royals CEO John Sherman expressed disappointment, emphasizing his belief that the county benefited from having both teams.

Chiefs President Mark Donovan echoed his sentiment, stating that the team would prioritize their fans and organization going forward. Options for the Chiefs could include revising the plan, seeking more private investment, or exploring offers from other cities like Kansas. Donovan emphasized their respect for the democratic process and their desire to maintain the longstanding partnership with Jackson County.

While the current lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts until 2031, the Royals plan to leave Kauffman Stadium after the 2023 season, while the Chiefs hope to continue at Arrowhead Stadium.

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