KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - As his political colleagues in Kansas joyously celebrated Monday’s announcement that the Kansas City Chiefs are moving across state lines, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas solemnly accepted the news.
“While the Chiefs aren’t going far away and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback as a Kansas Citian,” Lucas said.
Lucas said he received a call Monday from Chiefs President Mark Donovan informing him of the team’s plans to leave for Kansas. Shortly after, he spoke to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly who informed him of the same news.
With the loss of the Chiefs, Lucas revealed Monday that Jackson County, the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri put together an offer of more than $1.5 billion in public support to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead. He called the offer compelling for team officials and responsible for taxpayers.
“We are professionals and understand the Chiefs have a business to run and today made a business decision,” Lucas admitted, later adding, “business decisions are a reality, and we all understand that, but Arrowhead Stadium is more -- it’s family, tradition, and a part of Kansas City we will never leave.”
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Lucas also lamented the process that resulted in the team switching sides of the state line, pointing specifically to the “serious differences” he had with former Jackson County Executive Frank White and the obstacles from 2023 and early 2024 that led up to the failed vote on the April 2024 ballot.
As for White’s legacy in Kansas City following the Chiefs’ departure, Lucas said: “I think Frank White is going to have a great legacy as a baseball player.”
The April 2024 ballot included a vote that would’ve extended a 3/8-cent sales tax to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and help build a new Royals stadium in the Crossroads.
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Now, Lucas said his focus -- along with the focus of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and Jackson County leaders -- moves to securing the Kansas City Royals future in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Our unified, hardworking, and exceptional team will continue our strong efforts as we work to retain the Kansas City Royals in a transformational downtown facility,” Lucas said.
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