Kansas punts stadium deal deadline to December

Zoom in: Legislators activated a clause in the original law that extends the state's ability to finance a new stadium from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

• But the Legislative Coordinating Council made a new motion that requires the secretary of commerce to present a deal by Dec. 31, 2025.
• Kansas House Speaker Daniel Hawkins said he wants this done before the legislative session starts in January.

Between the lines: Hawkins said he didn't want to extend the deadline at first, but he agreed to it after hearing the teams had waited long periods of time — up to three months — before hearing back from state officials.

• "That's not fair to the teams when they're making proposals and they're not getting responses back," he said.

The other side: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas previously stated on X that although the city "understands the teams' need for sufficient time," it has proposed an "unmatched offer to secure the future of the Royals" downtown while supporting the Chiefs' "legacy as stewards of one of the great venues in all of sports."

Catch up quick: Border battle set for Royals, Chiefs stadiums