The Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs had their hopes for new stadium funding dashed this week. Missouri governor Mike Kehoe proposed Senate Bill 80, “Show Me Sports Investment Act,” and the House of Representatives approved it on Tuesday. However, senators were unable to come to an agreement on the bill before the 2025 session adjourned.
According to KMBC, if approved in a later special session, SB80 would allow professional teams in Missouri to access funding via bonds. Any project costing at least $500 million for stadiums seating at least 30,000 fans would qualify.
The Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs had their hopes for new stadium funding dashed this week. Missouri governor Mike Kehoe proposed Senate Bill 80, “Show Me Sports Investment Act,” and the House of Representatives approved it on Tuesday. However, senators were unable to come to an agreement on the bill before the 2025 session adjourned.
According to KMBC, if approved in a later special session, SB80 would allow professional teams in Missouri to access funding via bonds. Any project costing at least $500 million for stadiums seating at least 30,000 fans would qualify.
SB80 would allow the state of Missouri to cover up to 50% of total stadium costs. The teams would also be eligible for a tax credit of up to 10% of their investment.
For the Royals, who have been considering a new stadium for over a year, this bill could be the key to keeping the team in Missouri. Also, the Chiefs have publicly stated that they hope to renovate Arrowhead Stadium soon. If needed, the bill would also support the St. Louis Cardinals’ future stadium plans.
Related: Kansas City, Mo., Offers $1B to Renovate or Build New Royals' Stadium
When approving the bill, house minority leader Ashley Aune said, “The House today demonstrated Missouri’s strong commitment to keeping the Royals and Chiefs in our state for many decades to come. These teams are vital parts of Kansas City’s culture and their loss would be a blow to the local psyche and economy. SB 80 strikes a fair balance between providing incentives for the teams to stay while ensuring taxpayers are repaid should they ever depart."
Despite the support for the “Show Me Sports Investment Act” in the House of Representatives, KSHB 41 reported that the Missouri Senate adjourned “without voting on a proposal to redirect state money to help professional sports teams fund qualifying stadium renovations or replacements.”
Some senators expressed concern about prioritizing the teams’ needs over citizen tax relief. And negotiations across the aisles to tie SB80 to other resolutions did not succeed.
“I don’t want the Chiefs to leave. I don’t want the Royals to leave. I want them to stay in Missouri. I’d love for them to stay right where they’re at,” said Senator Joe Nicola. “But our people are hurting in Jackson County. Until we get some property tax relief in our county, I’m a no. That’s where my stance is on it.”
