Marina
Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland is at the forefront of discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, as both professional sports teams evaluate potential future home locations for the 2031 season.
The current lease agreements for both franchises at the Truman Sports Complex in Missouri are set to expire in January 2031, prompting cross-state conversations about relocation and funding.
Key Stakeholders and Ongoing Negotiations
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, confirmed that he occasionally engages in dialogue with representatives from the Chiefs and Royals.
Additionally, he noted the involvement of the Kansas Department of Commerce, which is also in communication with both teams as discussions progress.
Hawkins revealed that a formal proposal may soon be presented by the Commerce Department, potentially aimed at convincing the franchises to consider Kansas as their new home.
However, he clarified that there are currently no plans to extend the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond program beyond its current expiration date of June 30 this year.
Missouri’s Political Response
Meanwhile, across state lines, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, a fellow Republican, intends to reconvene the state legislature in June for a special session focused on stadium funding.
This decision comes after the Missouri State Senate failed to pass a stadium funding package earlier in May 2025.
In contrast to Missouri’s stalled efforts, Hawkins emphasized the strength of Kansas’ offer:
“Actually, I think we’ve made a very good proposal, and I think that they know we’ve made a good proposal, and certainly, Missouri hasn’t done anything,” Hawkins stated.
Will Stadium Decisions Be Finalized Soon?
When asked whether he believed the Chiefs and Royals would reach a decision on their future stadium plans within the next month, Hawkins was skeptical:
“Well, I’m not sure I agree with that,” he replied, indicating that the process may take longer despite growing anticipation.
Upcoming Public Discussion
Hawkins’ interview was featured on FOX4 as part of “4 The People,” set to air on Sunday, May 25th. Viewers interested in hearing the full dialogue can find the complete conversation posted on the FOX4 website later that day.
Current Lease and Legislative Timeline
| Key Event | Date/Status |
|---|---|
| Chiefs & Royals lease expiration | January 2031 |
| STAR Bond program expiration | June 30, 2025 |
| Missouri Senate fails to pass stadium package | May 2025 |
| Missouri’s special legislative session | June 2025 (planned) |
| Kansas proposal to teams | In progress |
| FOX4’s full Hawkins interview release | May 25, 2025 |
As the 2025 deadline for STAR Bonds approaches and Missouri scrambles to organize a legislative response, Kansas appears poised with a strong stadium proposal that could shift the future of two major sports franchises.
While no final decisions have been announced, the coming months may prove critical in determining whether the Chiefs and Royals remain in Missouri or migrate to Kansas. Stay tuned as this high-stakes game continues off the field.