Vultures already circling the Kansas City Chiefs after failed Jackson County stadium tax vote
Jackson County voters might not get another chance to keep the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. On Tuesday, Jackson County residents voted against the measure extending the 3/8-cent sales tax, which would keep both the Chiefs and the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri. 58 percent of voters said "No" on question one, with […]
Jackson County voters might not get another chance to keep the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
On Tuesday, Jackson County residents voted against the measure extending the 3/8-cent sales tax, which would keep both the Chiefs and the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri. 58 percent of voters said "No" on question one, with over 21,000 more voters against the measure than for it. Many considered it a rushed plan, with too little transparency about the process from both clubs.
With the failed vote to extend the tax, all options are on the table regarding the future of both Kansas City teams. Forces are already at play working to convince the Chiefs to choose a new home in 2031 when their lease with the Truman Sports Complex Authority is up. That might seem like a long while off, but it's actually quite soon when you consider that they may need to construct a brand-new stadium.
Local politician quietly working to bring Chiefs to Kansas City, Kansas
According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. is quietly working with other unnamed parties to bring the Chiefs to Kansas City, Kansas.
“Jackson County fumbled," Ryckman told the star. "Now there will be a mad scramble for the ball and we’re in the best position for a scoop and score."
At the risk of sounding too much like Chiefsaholic's lawyer, Ryckman has a major point — Kansas is well-positioned to attract the NFL franchise. Legalized sports betting, and the surplus of funds it has already created for the state of Kansas, could be one of the most important draws for the Chiefs. Missouri has yet to legalize sports betting, which has become a huge revenue draw for the National Football League. In-venue sportsbooks are something that the Chiefs could potentially have at a new stadium in Kansas.
The KC Star suggests sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds could also lure the Chiefs to Kansas. These specific types of bonds issued by state municipalities would pay for the construction of a new stadium for the Chiefs, and in turn, be paid off by future sales tax revenues. The state of Kansas used these bonds to fund projects such as the Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park, the home of the MLS club SportingKC.
While it's unclear whether Kansas taxpayers would be willing to foot a portion of the bill for a new stadium, it's clear that the politicians support the idea of bringing the Chiefs to Kansas City, Kansas. Let's not forget what Kansas governor Laura Kelly said of a potential Chiefs move to the state back in April of 2022:
Dallas mayor Eric Johnson says the city is big enough for both the Chiefs and Cowboys
While the regional ties to Kansas City are strong, the franchise will be hearing plenty from outside the region as well. It didn't even take a day for the current mayor of Dallas to suggest that Clark Hunt should move the team back to the state of Texas.
"Welcome home, Dallas Texans!" Johnson posted on Twitter (now X).
The nod, of course, being to the days as the Dallas Texans in the AFL under founder Lamar Hunt, before the franchise moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs. Johnson later clarified his thoughts in a statement to WFAA.
“Dallas was named the top sports city in the United States because we play to win," Johnson told WFAA. "As I have said previously, our market is big enough, growing enough, and loves football more than enough to support a second NFL team — especially a franchise (and an owner) with deep roots here.”
Whether or not Dallas will make a serious play for the Chiefs remains to be seen, but it's certainly in the realm of possibilities with the Jackson County tax vote failing. Would Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fight it? Probably. But the right situation could sway both the Cowboys and the Chiefs. Remember, the Hunt family still has strong ties to the area, and Patrick Mahomes is from just down the I-20 corridor.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice releases statement after meeting with Dallas PD investigators
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has spoken for himself regarding the vehicle accident in Dallas, Texas on Saturday.
