As the Chiefs and Royals mull respective decisions about the future of their stadiums, Quinton Lucas took his game on the road Sunday.
The Kansas City mayor expressed optimism that both teams will remain in Kansas City ... while attending a KC World Cup community event at the Aspiria campus in Overland Park on the Kansas side of the state line.
That area has been mentioned as a possible site for a Royals stadium, if the team decides to move from Missouri to Kansas.
Lucas said he’s putting his belief in the teams staying in his city.
“I’ve had optimism all the time, and I think there are more and more reasons for that,” Lucas said. “I said (last summer) that I believe we’d have a compelling Missouri state offer. We’ve gotten to that.
“It took a little longer than perhaps some would have wanted. I think the local government conversation is something that continues to proceed, as well. ... Kansas City, Missouri continues extension conversations with the Royals, and with the Chiefs the outreach is ongoing.”
Earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law a massive stadiums package. The “Show-Me Sports Investment Act” would cover up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums.
Kansas has authorized bonds for up to 70% of the costs of new stadiums, likely in Johnson or Wyandotte counties. The Kansas offer is set to expire June 30.
The Royals also have been linked to a site in Clay County, and if the Major League Baseball team remains in Missouri, the legislation requires commitments from local governments. But the Royals haven’t announced a site of choice since Jackson County voters defeated a sales tax extension in April, 2024.
The sales tax extension would have helped finance a $2 billion ballpark district in the East Crossroads area of KC, while also helping to cover costs of renovating Arrowhead Stadium.
Now, the Chiefs have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation of Arrowhead, and the Missouri plan would keep their training facilities in the state, too.
“I frankly continue to hope that we have it resolved sooner rather than later,” Lucas said. “The June 30 deadline set up by the state of Kansas may be a little tough for us, but we’re going to make sure that we have a compelling offer to both teams in that time.
“Kansas City, and the state of Missouri, is where they need to be. In terms of where the offers are, I think it will be on the teams to decide how quickly they want to proceed.”
The Chiefs came to Kansas City from Dallas for the 1963 season. The Royals were an expansion team that opened play in 1969. Their only homes have been at former Municipal Stadium and the Truman Sports Complex.
The current Truman Sports Complex lease for both teams expires in 2031.
“Kansas City, Missouri has made sense for 50 plus years,” Lucas said. “It will continue to do so.”
This story was originally published June 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM.