Royals

Under a bill being considered during the Kansas special legislative session, the Chiefs and Royals could receive more than $750 million to help finance stadium projects if they move to Kansas.

The offer would be available to all professional sports franchises ready to build stadiums costing at least $1 billion. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said the state would develop a “competitive” count if Kansas stepped forward with a package.

Herzog led the Royals to their first ever playoff appearances and three straight American League West titles. In St. Louis, the Hall of Fame manager launched the Cardinals to a World Series championship.

After the stadium sales tax extension was overwhelmingly rejected by voters, speculation is rampant about what the Royals and Chiefs might do next. Crossroads business owners say they're still open to future negotiations about a new stadium, but they want more transparency and respect from the teams.

Voters in Jackson County voted by nearly a three to two margin to oppose the Royals and Chiefs' 3/8th-cent stadium sales tax extension. KC Tenants, the citywide tenants union in Kansas City, played a big role in the "vote no" campaign.

In Tuesday's election, 58% of voters opposed the 3/8ths-cent sales tax. The tax would have funded a downtown ballpark for the Royals and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.

The 3/8th-cent sales tax extension would have helped build a new Kansas City Royals stadium downtown as well as fund renovations at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs. Tuesday's vote followed months of intense campaigning from both teams, and a concerted opposition from community and activist groups.

Jackson County residents and leaders are split on how they'll vote on the 3/8th-cent sales tax that will fund stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. KCUR journalists share what they've heard and where negotiations stand with lease and community benefits agreements.

The Kansas City Royals say there are nearly 19,000 parking spaces within a 10-minute walk of their proposed stadium in the Crossroads Arts District, while other fans can get to games via public transit like buses or the streetcar. But local businesses say parking is already a problem.

Representatives of the Chiefs and Royals have suggested they would consider other “options” if Jackson County voters don't approve a sales tax to help fund a downtown ballpark and upgrade Arrowhead. It's not inconceivable that a professional sports team would leave Kansas City — because it's happened before.

While the Chiefs and Royals have donated $3 million to the campaign, opponents have raised about $11,500 — including $5 from a Kansas City woman who said the donation was a hit to her finances.

Owners of the proposed Royals stadium won’t pay property taxes because the land it's on would belong to Jackson County. That means tax beneficiaries like the Kansas City Public Library may lose out on property tax revenue that makes up 95% of their budget.