No extension expected as Kansas works to move Chiefs, Royals with STAR bonds
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - It’s all still up in the air. Will the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, or both decide to cross the state line to Kansas? If they decide to go with the Sunflower State, a deadline looms.
Last June, Kansas lawmakers ed STAR Bonds legislation to lure professional sports teams to Kansas. That came with a deadline of June 30, 2025, and an option to extend negotiations.
Speaker of the House and Republican Wichita Representative Dan Hawkins said they are not anticipating extending that negotiation time.
“They’ve been working on it for a year and I think they are really close. Actually, I think both teams are probably pretty close with coming in with a proposal,” said Rep. Hawkins.
He said both teams have been working with Kansas’ Commerce Department. He said most of the details like a location have been kept quiet.
If they do have a proposal, the teams will present it to the Legislative Coordinating Council, which includes, Sen. Ty Masterson, Rep. Dan Hawkins, Sen. Chase Blasi, Sen. Tim Shallenburger, Sen. Dinah Sykes, Rep. Blake Carpenter, Rep. Chris Croft, and Rep. Brandon Woodard. From there, they decide to approve or deny the proposal.
Earlier this month, Missouri lawmakers tried to find a way to keep the teams in the show-me-state, but the bill didn’t make it to the Governor.
While there could be a special session, some feel it might be too late for Missouri.
“I’m not sure that they are going to have any more luck during June getting it done than they did during the regular session, so I actually think we are in pretty good shape, I think one or possibly both of them will come to Kansas. But we will just have to wait and see,” said Rep. Hawkins.
KCTV5 reached out to the Chiefs and Royals for comment on this deadline but has yet to hear back as of early Thursday afternoon.
In the past, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has not put a timeline down, but has suggested the team may need to start making decisions by the end of the year.
As for the Royals, owner John Sherman has said he would like to announce a location for the team by next month or July.
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