By BRENT MARTIN
Gov. Mike Kehoe is hopeful Missouri’s incentives for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals will prove to be enough to keep the teams on the Missouri side of the state line.
The Chiefs reportedly have asked Kansas to submit a proposal for a 65,000-seat domed stadium on the Kansas side of the metro area, likely next to the Kansas Speedway at the Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas.
Kehoe was asked during a visit to St. Joseph if he’s worried that the Chiefs have asked for a proposal from Kansas.
“Well, I have two pieces of that answer,” Kehoe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “As Missouri governor, I hate that they’re doing that. I mean, we want them to stay on the Missouri side. As a business person, I understand that they have to have their options on the table. Even though I don’t like it, as a business person I do understand that they’re looking at what their options could be.”
Kehoe says he expects state and local incentives to be enough to keep the Chiefs in a renovated Arrowhead, the home of the Chiefs since 1972.
“I think our proposal, our economic development proposal, is very good and I’m hoping that Jackson County with the new leadership of Mr. LeVota, can put together a piece of the puzzle that really helps us make sure the Chiefs stay where they belong here in Missouri,” Kehoe says.
Jackson County voters recalled Executive Frank White, who has been seen as a roadblock to reaching a deal with both professional sports franchises. Kansas City attorney, Phil LeVota, is serving as interim executive.
Kehoe says while the Royals are a separate issue, he does believe state incentives will prove to be enough to keep the team in Missouri. Kehoe expects the Royals to choose either to relocate to downtown Kansas City or in Clay County.
“They’re obviously looking at the Star Bond proposal that Kansas has on their side,” Kehoe says. “Again, as a business person and finance people have told me, Star Bonds have a lot of problems associated with them that I hope the ownership groups look at very closely. Our offer for both of those teams, and in this case the Royals, doesn’t care where they locate as long as it’s in Missouri.”
Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax extension to pay for renovations to Arrowhead and help finance a new downtown stadium for the Royals. Missouri lawmakers put together an incentive package during a special legislative session in an effort to keep the two teams on the Missouri side of the metroplex.
The ownership group of the Kansas City Royals has sent out a survey to its fans asking for comments on three possible locations for a new stadium: downtown Kansas City, Clay County, or Overland Park, Kansas.
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