The Missouri Senate on Thursday approved a plan to provide incentives to Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to stay in the state. There was a threat of teams moving to Kansas. They tabled a bill and it was approved by 19-13 – they needed 18 votes to carry it.
The Stadium Bill allocated $1.5 billion to each Stadium. It will now move to the Missouri State. The bill also includes the “Show-Me Sports Investment” Act. According to this, the teams will have access to state funding.
According to the proposal, the stadium projects would need to be in connection with an NFL or MLB team. Each stadium will cost $500 million to complete. Through this bill, Missouri will provide up to 50% cost of the project. Currently, the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals play at Kauffman Stadium.
The Missouri lawmakers are acting with urgency in a special session because the professional sports teams face a June deadline for the Kansas’ STAR bond program. Through this program, Kansas decided to incentivize these teams to bring them to their state.
“I thank the Missouri Senate for its work in special session, passing proposals supporting disaster relief in Eastern Missouri, funding key education and health initiatives for our future, and competitiveness for sports and entertainment retention and attraction in Missouri,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “I am grateful for the attention to be provided next by the Missouri House on this important bipartisan work building a responsible future and opportunity for our state and its people.”
