Royals

Sports economists looking at the $600 million deal between the Royals and the Kansas City Council aren’t very impressed. The quickly-passed measure leaves many unanswered questions about where the public funds will come from, how much risk Kansas City will take on, and if the economic benefits will actually pan out.

The Kansas City Council voted 11-2 to commit $600 million to the Royals for a new ballpark. Here’s a look at the political and financial math behind the deal.

After the Kansas City Council approved $600 million in funding for a new Crown Center ballpark on Thursday, Councilmember Crispin Rea called the deal a major accomplishment for the city. It will hold the Royals to $55 million over 30 years for community improvements, but some community groups say that's not enough — and want a public vote.

Public funds from city and state sources would contribute 60% of the cost for the Crown Center stadium, possibly through tax-exempt bonds. The Royals will have "no obligation to repay or otherwise support payment of” those bonds, leaving the city to cover any shortfalls.

After several hours of debate and testimony, Kansas City Council's finance committee approved two ordinances that dedicate $600 million in city funding and rezone land for a Crown Center ballpark. Critics remain furious the cost to taxpayers won't get a public vote.

Kansas City could approve a deal with the Royals within the next two weeks. But the public still doesn’t know where the $600 million will come from or whether the city was successful in negotiating community benefits.

The 6th district council member told KCUR's Up To Date on Thursday that his constituents want the city to negotiate a stadium deal that is more beneficial to residents. He said they also want more transparency from Kansas City's leaders.

The Kansas City Plan Commission unanimously approved the rezoning in an Aug. 5 meeting, making way for a $3 billion Royals ballpark district. Planning officials said the zoning request will be the first step in the redevelopment process.

Jackson County is voting for its new county executive this year. All the candidates put property taxes as their top priority. But go beyond that, and the differences creep in.

The Royals have pitched a $1.9 billion stadium. That’s twice as expensive as Atlanta’s Truist Park and quadruple Denver’s Coors Field. But it's not clear what's driving up the cost.

El equipo llegó a un acuerdo con Hallmark Cards para llevar a cabo un “proyecto transformador" que creará un nuevo estadio de béisbol en Crown Center, cerca del centro de Kansas City, según anunció John Sherman, propietario de los Royals. El anuncio se produce una semana después de que el Concejo Municipal aprobara un paquete de financiamiento.

The Kansas City Royals finally picked a spot for their new ballpark: Crown Center. While the financials have yet to be figured out, one architecture expert says that the initial design and location look good — with one exception.