Stadium options grow for NFL's Chiefs as they review Missouri, Kansas proposals

(The Center Square) – The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs told his team to focus on one game at a time during a visit to training camp this week, but multiple stadium issues are gaining his attention.

During a press conference at the team’s training camp at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Clark Hunt, chairman and chief executive officer of the Chiefs, acknowledged the team is reviewing multiple options after renewal of a sales tax for 40 years was defeated by Jackson County voters in April. The current three-eighths of a cent sales tax would have been renewed in 2030 and run until 2070, but approximately 60% of voters cast ballots against it. Both the Chiefs and Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals pledged to stay in Kansas City if the measure passed.

Hunt emphasized his focus will be on a stadium solution to benefit the region.

“Our goal is to find a solution that's great for the community,” Hunt said. “I do think a renovated Arrowhead would be a very good solution. But I also think about a new stadium and what that could bring to the community in terms of really big events. I think that could be really valuable.”

Hunt affirmed comments by Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs, who visited training camp earlier and was optimistic about completing the stadium decision in six months.

"We definitely feel like this is an urgent issue and we've got to find a solution in the near term," Hunt said. "And I would agree with Mark that we would like to make some significant progress over the next six months. I know from having been through a few stadium efforts that they're slow moving and unpredictable."

Hunt thanked the Kansas legislature for approving a package of bonds aimed at luring the Chiefs to build a new stadium across the state line.

“We’re glad to have some options," Hunt said. "We really appreciate what the Kansas legislature did in passing the upgrade to the Star Bond bill that potentially would give us an opportunity to look at a stadium over there. We’re going to work very hard over the coming months and year to come up with a solution that makes sense for the organization and team, but also one that makes sense for the community. So we’re approaching it with an open mind and look forward to talking with leaders on both sides of the state line.”

Weeks after winning their second consecutive Super Bowl, the Chiefs unveiled in February a plan for a renovation of Arrowhead Stadium and the surrounding area where the Royals’ stadium is located. As both professional teams attempted to convince voters to extend the tax, the Chiefs estimated the renovation would cost $800 million and Hunt’s family would contribute $300 million.

Now, Hunt said the possibility of a domed stadium on either side of the state line is being reviewed.

“I mentioned the possibility of a new stadium also on the Missouri side and I think if we went that route, certainly we would have to look at a dome,” Hunt said. “A dome gives you an ability to host a lot of other events, which could be important for the community.”