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On the heels of the Cincinnati Bengals agreeing to terms on a new deal that will keep the team in place for the next 10 seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs are going in the opposite direction.
The Chiefs have until June 30 to decide if the team will remain in Missouri or officially relocate to Kansas. However, Missouri legislators were officially blindsided by the organization's officially requesting an extension on the deadline.
Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the deadline extension, stating:
"We believe the foundation is in place for something truly historic — not only for our team but for the future of the state's economy and national profile," Donovan wrote.
What makes this extension that much more important is that it indicates that the Chiefs are seriously weighing the idea of relocating the team to another state. Donovan sent in the formal deadling extension via a letter.
According to the Kansas City Star, "The letter comes just two weeks after Missouri lawmakers approved a sweeping stadiums funding plan in the hopes of preventing the Chiefs and Royals from leaving for Kansas. The Missouri proposal would allow the state to pay for up to 50% of new stadiums for the teams."
Many of the legislators also felt the deal that was reached by Missouri for a reported $1.5 billion in renovations was enough to keep the Chiefs in Jackson County. Apparently, things are not that simple.
"Well, that's a shot in the gut," Missouri Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican who handled the Missouri proposal in the House, said after learning of the letter. "I didn't see that coming. I thought the Chiefs were fairly secure staying right where they're at.The entire ordeal began in April 2024 when an initial tax proposal was proposed to the taxpayers of Jackson County that would provide the renovations needed for Arrowhead Stadium and a new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals. However, taxpayers rejected that proposal, leading to a new plan having to be thought of.
The news that the Chiefs could potentially relocate immediately reached the neighboring state of Kansas, as Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed legislation that guaranteed the Chiefs would receive what they would need to build a brand-new domed stadium.
Having a domed stadium would mean the Chiefs would also be able to host the Super Bowl, which brings in some already lucrative opportunities. A year later, Missouri lawmakers were busy putting together the plan to keep the Chiefs in place despite the initial tax proposal being rejected.
With Missouri finalizing that plan, the Chiefs taking some time to think things over could mean the organization might actually relocate. Missouri losing the Chiefs would be disastrous, as would it be incredible for Kansas to actually land a championship football team.
Time will tell what happens, but the Chiefs are getting a little more time to think about what is best for the organization.
