Kansas approves Chiefs stadium deal
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Arrowhead Stadium. Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images
Kansas leaders voted Monday to approve a deal that clears the way for the Kansas City Chiefs to move to Kansas, effectively ending the franchise's more-than-60-year run in Missouri.
Why it matters: In a press conference, Gov. Laura Kelly called the deal the largest economic development project in Kansas history, saying it represents a minimum of $4 billion in total development and more than 20,000 jobs.
Driving the news: Kansas lawmakers on the eight-member Legislative Coordinating Council voted unanimously to approve an incentives package.
- The package authorizes Kansas to use its Sales Tax and Revenue bond program to help finance a new Chiefs stadium and surrounding development.
- Kelly said the new stadium will be built in Wyandotte County, with a new Chiefs headquarters and practice facility planned for Olathe.
What they're saying: Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said in a statement that the team has "agreed with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season."
- "Today's announcement is truly historic," Kelly said, calling the agreement a "total game changer" that will impact Kansas for generations.
- Lt. Gov. David Toland said the deal represents "the largest economic win in Kansas history."
State of play: Kansas law allows the state to cover up to 70% of stadium costs using future sales tax revenue generated by the project, according to Bloomberg.
- A new stadium has been estimated to cost about $3 billion, not including practice facilities.
- Kelly said the state's portion would be paid for using revenue generated by the project, not new taxes or cuts to existing state services.
Catch up quick: The Chiefs have played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1972. Their lease ends in January 2031.
- After Jackson County voters rejected a stadium sales tax extension in April 2024, Kansas lawmakers advanced their own STAR bond financing plan and positioned the Legislative Coordinating Council vote to lure the Chiefs across the state line.
- Missouri lawmakers later passed a competing incentives package that would cover up to 50% of stadium costs.
What's next: The Chiefs plan to begin hiring architects and contractors in the coming months as the project moves into its design and planning phase.
- State officials did not disclose the size of the public subsidy or the exact stadium site within Wyandotte County.