KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics on both sides of the state line. If you have a story idea to share, you can send Charlie an email at charlie.keegan@kshb.com.
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Missouri leaders believe they’re one step closer to keeping the Chiefs and Royals in the state.
The Missouri House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday by a vote of 90-58 to help pay for Chiefs and Royals stadium projects during a special legislative session.
The state Senate passed the bill last Thursday, during the first week of a special legislative session.
Senate Bill 3 now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike Kehoe to be signed into law. Kehoe has previously voiced public support for the bill.
Kehoe quickly took to social media after the vote, saying he looks forward "to seeing this legislation on my desk very soon."
I applaud the General Assembly for their efforts this special session to assist Missourians in crisis, provide tax relief, and invest in Missouri’s future.
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) June 11, 2025
I look forward to seeing this legislation on my desk very soon.
In a statement to KSHB 41 News, the Kansas City Chiefs thanked the Missouri Legislature and Kehoe for their work in passing the bill.
"The passing of this legislation is an important piece of the overall effort," the team said. "While there’s still work to be done, this legislation enables the Chiefs to continue exploring potential options to consider remaining in Missouri.”
Similarly, the Royals said legislators' work on the issue has been a "very important piece of our decision-making process."
"Now that ... the bill is headed to the governor's desk, we look forward to evaluating the plan in full detail," a Royals spokesperson said. "Our focus remains the same: to prioritize the best interests of our team, fans, partners and regional community as we pursue the next generational home for the Kansas City Royals."
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas also released a statement moments after the bill passed. He thanked state officials for crafting legislation he believes "will keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri for years to come."
"With passage in the Missouri legislature, Kansas City will continue its work with the Royals to build a robust and responsible area development and incentive plan to keep the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri — building on a generation of investment and growth in Downtown Kansas City," Lucas said. "Kansas City will also provide necessary assistance to the Chiefs, their landlord Jackson County, and Clay County to build a long-term future for Arrowhead Stadium, one of the finest football venues in the world, and practice venues that can spur more development opportunities for the team and our region."
Jackson County Executive Frank White released a statement late Wednesday afternoon, saying that Wednesday's vote was "an important step toward a more balanced and responsible approach to funding professional sports teams in our region."
White said he believes the bill will spread out the burden of sports stadium funding - something he says Jackson County has bared the weight of for more than 50 years.
"As this process continues, I look forward to working with all stakeholders, including the Chiefs and Royals, to better understand their long-term plans and their commitment to remaining in Jackson County," White said. "Together, we can ensure our teams stay rooted here while delivering a fair and forward-looking deal for the people who have supported them for generations."
Jackson County Legislature Chairman DeRon McGee said the bill's passage "sets the stage" for local negotiations to begin.
"From the heroes of the Negro Leagues to women's soccer and Super Bowl champions, our community has benefited from this vital sports environment," McGee said. "Now, we must negotiate agreements that protect our taxpayers while preserving this great legacy."
Clay County leaders celebrated Wednesday's news with a statement thanking Kehoe for his "pivotal leadership in building momentum" to enhance Missouri's "ability to compete for major sports-related economic development."
A separate piece of legislation was passed Wednesday that will allow the county to form its own sports authority, something the county believes will further fuel regional growth.
“We are especially grateful to Governor Kehoe for his leadership and hands-on engagement, and to Senators Nurrenbern and Gregory for their vision and tenacity in moving this legislation forward,” Presiding Clay County Commissioner Jerry Nolte said in a news release. “These tools provide a foundation for meaningful economic development, and we look forward to continued conversations with the Kansas City Royals about the possibilities for Clay County and the region.”
The county said it is "optimistic" both the sports authority and stadium bills will be signed in the coming weeks.
Senate Bill 3 creates the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which allows the state to give sales and income taxes generated at a stadium to the teams to pay for construction loans.
The deal can finance up to 50% of a stadium project’s total costs. It applies to MLB and NFL stadiums with at least 30,000 seats. Projects must cost at least $500 million.
The bill requires cities and/or counties where the stadium is located to contribute public financing as well. That would most likely require a vote among residents in that jurisdiction to approve an additional tax, like the sales tax currently in place in Jackson County, to fund maintenance at the Truman Sports Complex.
In testimony Tuesday, lobbyists for the Chiefs and Royals voiced support for the bill. But neither team would commit to staying in Missouri even if Missouri passed the law.
Missouri’s proposal is a direct answer to a law Kansas passed roughly one year ago to lure the teams into Kansas.
The Kansas law allows the state to pay for up to 70% of a new stadium using sales tax generated at the stadium and a surrounding entertainment district.
This funding method is called STAR Bonds. The Kansas offer is set to expire June 30, unless a council of legislators decides to extend it. One member told KSHB 41 News he’s not interested in extending the offer.
A Kansas Department of Commerce spokesperson said teams and the state only have to have the structure for a deal in place by June 30, not a completely finalized or fully negotiated contract.
Missouri lawmakers also took up legislation providing relief to victims of tornadoes in the St. Louis area and funding for several capital projects, including a mental health facility in Kansas City, during the two-week-long special session.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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