I, like many Missourians, do not relish the Kansas City Chiefs moving to another state. Let’s follow the money and see if we can get a sense of how this came to fruition. If Jackson County voters renewed the sales tax extension in 2024 (three-eighths of one cent), the ballot measure very well could have resolved the issue as that revenue could have paid for upgrades to the aging, yet beloved, stadiums used by the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.
The Royals baseball franchise had been openly aggressive with its desire to move Downtown ever since its new ownership group emerged in 2019. And while that was front and center in local news outlets, the Chiefs remained silent. A popular thought among Kansas Citians was that the Chiefs could have sole use of the Truman Sports Complex, renovate Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman Stadium and develop retail attractions in the area.
Former Jackson County Executive, Frank White did not support this relocation or tax extension, and the County’s elected legislature was unable to reach any compromise with White The lead into the vote focused on the Royals relocating instead of the Chiefs as the common thought was that they would stay at Arrowhead.
In the meantime, Kansas got busy and came up with the “Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund.” Its legislature dedicated revenue generated from the lottery and sports betting as a means to provide the wherewithal to finance new stadium construction. This importantly was without the expenditure of taxpayer dollars, which set it apart from Jackson County. A power of a state versus that of a county puts the county at a considerable disadvantage.
Meanwhile, Missouri would not match Kansas’s efforts regarding sports betting until it became effective on Dec. 1, 2025. It took a special session of the Missouri Legislature to pass a measure that would allow for bonds to be issued to pay for one-half of the new construction. This was criticized largely by outstate legislators, which contributed to Gov. Mike Kehoe facing difficulty in securing sufficient support to get much done. This was too little, too late.
Notably, the Hunt Family committed to $1 billion in additional development, a portion of which can also be incentivized by STAR bonds. Frank White had the Albatross of property taxes looming and a recall election overwhelmingly resulted in a new executive taking over for the remainder of his term. To his credit, Phil LeVota immediately attempted to coordinate efforts of the City, County and state of Missouri to roll back the clock to get the Chiefs to stay in Kansas City. His proposal was a scaled down, sales tax renewal vote, which eliminated the cost of maintaining the baseball complex as the Royals ownership intention was steadfast.
Look at Wyandotte County, Kan. — the site selected for the Chiefs new domed, overhead stadium. The Hunt family and other wealthy investors are able to expand beyond the stadium itself with retail establishments, hotels and other developments besides the luxury boxes and PSL’s they assuredly will sell. This is a model that is tried and proven. Stan Kroenke — principal owner of the Los Angeles Rams — did this already when he moved the Rams from St. Louis, Mo. Kroenke developed the land around the stadium into a desired, year-round attraction.
Missouri’s state-wide political leaders could have addressed this after St. Louis lost the Rams in 2016. It did nothing of consequence to prepare for the potential loss of other professional sporting teams. So now, Missouri has the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, maybe the Royals (its lease expires with the close of the 2030 season), the Kansas City Current (a thriving Women’s outdoor soccer franchise) and a minor league hockey franchise — the Kansas City Mavericks. As to the Mavericks, its owner is Lamar Hunt, Jr. What are the odds of the Royals and Mavericks staying in Missouri, given the current state of politics?
Missouri’s Governor proposes an elimination of the income tax. That is no doubt attractive to everyone who pays taxes, but what does that do to the State’s ability to retain professional sports teams? It does not bode well. Kansas City will not fare well either. For once, the professional athletes will no longer play in Kansas City and the 1% Earnings Tax will disappear from the small universe of the wealthiest individual taxpayers.
We like nice roads, great schools and adequate Fire, EMS and Police protection. Losing the income from Chiefs operations will impact not just the budgets of area communities, but will hurt the hotels, restaurants, bars and businesses in Kansas City. The 2023 NFL Draft brought in $164.3 million for Kansas City.
In December 2023, the Chiefs estimated an economic impact of almost $1 billion dollars for the immediate area, built on the successful season and post-season for the team. Experts predict Kansas City will receive about $700 million in spending from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Professional sports are not just big business, they are huge business. The loss of a successful and popular franchise to another state has major consequences, which we will watch with remorse.
Meanwhile, politicians could not wait to blame others for the loss of the Chiefs. Democrats blame Republicans. Republicans blame Democrats. Many of which are the same ones who could not be counted on to support retaining the teams when there was still time.
Woe is (me) us.
John B. Boyd is one of the most prominent, pro-worker legal voices in western Missouri. He founded the Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parrish law firm in 1983 and previously served as a Missouri Workers’ Compensation judge. He accepted a temporary appointment by Governor Robert Holden to serve as Acting Chairman of the Labor & Industrial Relations Commission.
Boyd serves as Counsel to the Missouri AFL-CIO, several local unions, and is a member of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) panel of workers’ compensation attorneys. John is a Fellow in the inaugural class of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. He is a founding member, Past-President and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group, a national organization dedicated to representing the interests of millions of workers who suffer the consequences of workplace injury and occupational illnesses.
Concerning workers’ rights, John has lectured across the state, nationally, internationally; has testified before Missouri House and Senate committees; and has written extensively on the subject.
Born, raised and educated in Sedalia, Missouri, John is a 1971 graduate of University of Central Missouri with a B.S. in Business Administration, and a December 1974 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. He and his wife, Linda, enjoy their three grandchildren, rescued beagle, swimming and traveling for fun and relaxation. A proud father and grandfather, John likes to fish and play golf in his free time.
