Election results are ‘positive moment’ in hopes of keeping Chiefs in Missouri, mayor says

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Tuesday’s winners in the Kansas and Missouri gubernatorial primaries are strong players to keep Kansas City’s two largest professional franchises in the Show-Me State, according to the city’s top politician.

At Chiefs training camp on Wednesday in St. Joseph, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed optimism in retaining the Chiefs and Royals.

“Conversations continue with both teams,” Lucas told KCTV5. “I think whether we have a Gov. Kehoe or Gov. Quade, you’re going to see not just the governor’s office but the Missouri legislature supportive of retaining these two valuable assets here in the state of Missouri, particularly in Kansas City.”

Mike Kehoe, the state’s lieutenant governor, defeated State Sen. Bill Eigel and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for the Republican nomination for governor. Rep. Crystal Quade won the Democratic nomination over Mike Hamra.

In June 2024, Kehoe’s team released the following statement when asked if the state’s relationship with the Chiefs and Royals will continue:

“Missourians deserve a governor who will fight for jobs and economic growth while protecting taxpayers. Unlike his opponents, Mike Kehoe will not watch passively as other states poach our businesses. As governor, he will use every tool at his disposal to ensure Missouri is a state that welcomes investment, creates jobs, and spurs economic growth.”

The support for both teams continues to gain bipartisan backing, with Democratic nominee for Missouri Governor, Crystal Quade sharing similar feelings.

In June 2024 she released the following statement: “Any candidate for governor who claims they don’t care about the Arrowhead-sized hole losing the Chiefs would create is lying. We need to elect leaders who will work with the Chiefs to make sure all sides get a fair deal and keep our Super Bowl Champs playing football in Missouri for decades to come.”

While visiting Chiefs training camp, Lucas voiced his hope for the teams moving forward.

“I think this is a positive moment for all of us in the stadium conversation,” Lucas said. “I think you’re going to see progress in the months ahead.”

ALSO READ: Chiefs’ Mark Donovan says organization has options in ongoing stadium negotiations

Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a 3/8-cent sales tax proposal that would have gone toward funding a downtown ballpark for the Royals and renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.

In late April, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said the organization is reassessing its options for the future, whether that be at Arrowhead Stadium or building a new venue.

Following the failed vote in April, legislators in Kansas passed a STAR bonds bill with the help of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly that opens a pathway to the teams moving to the Sunflower State.

The current lease for the Chiefs and Royals at the Truman Sports Complex expires in 2031.

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