Missouri Senate Pushes Forward Stadium Incentive Plan While Chiefs Hold Off on Commitment to Stay

In a pivotal move that could reshape Missouri’s sports landscape, the Missouri Senate has passed a new stadium incentive package aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state for decades to come. However, the Chiefs’ top leadership has stopped short of promising that the franchise will stay in Missouri, even as lawmakers push through financial support to keep them rooted in Kansas City.

The legislation, approved late Monday evening after hours of debate, outlines a public-private funding strategy that would provide hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits and state-backed bonds. These funds are designed to help finance the construction of a new football stadium for the Chiefs, and potentially a new ballpark for the Royals, as both teams explore options beyond their longtime homes at the Truman Sports Complex.

Under the plan, Missouri would offer incentives through its existing economic development programs to subsidize stadium construction, while requiring both franchises to contribute significant private investment. The bill is expected to head to Governor Mike Parson’s desk in the coming days, where he has signaled potential support.

Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina), a key architect of the measure, said the legislation is about more than just sports—it’s about economic growth and identity.

We’re making an investment in Missouri’s future,” O’Laughlin said. “Keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas City preserves jobs, drives tourism, and keeps our region on the national map. We can’t afford to let these teams walk away.”

Despite the momentum at the Capitol, the Kansas City Chiefs have yet to offer a firm commitment to remain in Missouri. Team President Mark Donovan released a cautious statement Tuesday morning, thanking lawmakers for their efforts but stopping short of pledging loyalty to the state.

We appreciate the legislature’s recognition of the important role the Chiefs play in this community,” Donovan said. “While we’re evaluating all of our options moving forward, we are committed to doing what’s best for our fans, our organization, and our future.”

The Chiefs’ current lease at Arrowhead Stadium expires in 2031, but the team has long been exploring alternatives, including the possibility of relocating to Kansas. Kansas legislators have proposed a competing stadium incentive deal of their own, dangling generous tax breaks and infrastructure support to lure the franchise across the state line.

That cross-border rivalry has heightened tensions between Missouri and Kansas lawmakers in recent months. In fact, some political observers believe the Missouri Senate’s sudden urgency to pass the bill stems from growing concern that the Chiefs may actually leave if Kansas succeeds in finalizing its own stadium initiative first.

Missouri’s bill, while aggressive, still leaves room for negotiation. The specific terms of how much money each team would receive, and under what conditions, remain subject to further development and approval. Nonetheless, proponents argue the measure demonstrates that Missouri is willing to compete.

Critics of the bill, however, question whether taxpayer money should be used to subsidize billion-dollar sports franchises. Some lawmakers, including members from rural districts, expressed concerns that the funding could be better spent on education, infrastructure, or healthcare.

There’s something wrong with our priorities when we’re throwing hundreds of millions at stadiums while families in my district still don’t have access to clean drinking water,” said Senator Karla May (D-St. Louis). “It’s time we ask whether this kind of public investment actually pays off in the long run.”

Economists remain divided. While some argue that sports teams contribute significantly to local economies, others caution that the long-term return on public stadium subsidies is often overstated. A 2022 Brookings Institution report found that publicly funded stadiums rarely generate the level of economic activity their proponents claim, citing short-lived construction jobs and minimal impact on surrounding neighborhoods.

Nonetheless, the emotional and symbolic value of the Chiefs and Royals staying in Kansas City is hard to ignore. Both franchises have deep roots in the community and hold iconic status in the Midwest. The Chiefs, in particular, are fresh off multiple Super Bowl appearances under the leadership of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas welcomed the Senate’s move but urged all parties to come together to create a regional solution that doesn’t pit Missouri and Kansas against each other.