Missouri Senate Passes Bill to Keep NFL and MLB Teams in the State
In a significant legislative move, the Missouri Senate has approved a bill aimed at incentivizing the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to remain in Missouri, countering potential relocation threats to Kansas. The bill passed with a narrow 19-13 vote and now proceeds to the Missouri House.
Central to the proposal is the "Show-Me Sports Investment" Act, which allocates over $1.5 billion to revamp the stadiums for both teams—Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs and Kauffman Stadium for the Royals. This act stipulates that any stadium project must be tied to an NFL or MLB team and come with a minimum price tag of $500 million. The state will subsidize up to 50% of the project’s costs, providing significant financial support to ensure the teams stay put.
This legislative decision is a direct rebuttal to Kansas’s STAR bond program, which offers incentives for attracting sports teams and is set to expire at the end of the month. Notably, the Chiefs’ current lease runs until 2030, but they must decide on Kansas’s offer by the end of June.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed gratitude for the Senate’s efforts during a special session, highlighting the importance of bipartisan cooperation in supporting disaster relief, education, health initiatives, and competitive sports retention in Missouri.
As the bill moves forward, the future of the Chiefs and Royals hangs in the balance, with local officials emphasizing the need for swift action to secure the teams’ place in Missouri.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
