In the “Games of Thrones” series, a handful of powerful politicians try to take control of the Seven Kingdoms and reign over the world known as Westeros.
In real life, Kansas lawmakers took a major step Tuesday toward gaining access to the Chiefs' Kingdom.
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A general view of fans before the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory parade on February 15, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Kansas lawmakers approved a plan to move the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals away from Missouri and across the border. Lawmakers approved a measure to authorize state bonds to help finance new stadiums and practice facilities for both teams.
Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement approving the measure.
“I am committed to working with members of both parties on policies that are beneficial to Kansas,” he said. “The bipartisan effort to invite the Chiefs and Royals to Kansas shows that we are determined to keep our beloved teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
“Kansas now has the opportunity to become a professional sports power with the Chiefs and Royals potentially joining Sporting KC as major league attractions, all with strong, revenue-generating entertainment districts around them providing new jobs, new visitors and new revenues that boost the Kansas economy.”
The approval was part of a two-month effort to take advantage of Missouri voters' refusal to continue a local sales tax used to fund maintenance of teams' stadiums.
A woman and her dog walk past Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals baseball team, on March 24, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas promised to devise a plan to keep both teams.
“In my opinion, today was very much about leverage,” Lucas said. “And the teams are in a position of exceptional influence.”
The plan would allow state bonds to cover up to 70% of each new stadium, paying for them over 30 years with revenue from sports betting, state lottery ticket sales and new sales and alcohol taxes from districts built around the new ones. stadiums.
Both the Chiefs and Royals released statements regarding the legislation.
“We appreciate that Kansas state leaders have proactively reached out to us for comment on the proposed STAR bond legislation,” the Chiefs said, via FOX 4 KC. “We support their efforts to expand the existing program and commend them for passing the legislation in a special session. We look forward to exploring the options this legislation can provide.
Fans cheer at Arrowhead Stadium during the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on September 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann. File)
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“We are grateful to the Kansas Legislature for today's bipartisan action that gives the state a pragmatic tool to achieve its economic development goals,” the Royals added. “The Kansas City Royals look forward to additional conversations as we evaluate where we will play baseball in the future. We will always prioritize the best interests of our fans, associates and taxpayers in this process.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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