Kansas City Chiefs owner, Clark Hunt, recently expressed his disappointment over a failed bid to extend a sales tax that would have financed a new stadium for the Royals and renovated venue for the Chiefs in Jackson County, Missouri.
This stadium vote held vital importance for both teams, as they are facing a critical situation with merely six and a half years left on their current lease.
The results came as a surprise to Hunt and the team, who have yet to examine the reasons behind this setback.
"Well, we’re definitely disappointed with how the stadium vote turned out," Hunt said. "It was something that we had worked on for several years, and we were excited about the opportunity to be able to renovate [Arrowhead Stadium]. And unfortunately it just didn’t pass. I’ve been through a few of these processes, and I know from that experience that what you try first doesn’t always succeed. So we’ll be in a situation where we go back to the drawing board. We will look at all of our options going forward, which is something we mentioned before the vote. So that’ll be our focus."
"I do feel very much of a sense of urgency, and we will approach it from a broader perspective going forward because time is short of us at this point and so we need to see what other options are out there for us," Hunt said.
In the wake of the vote, Hunt is now looking for new solutions, one of which could involve separating from the Royals.
In a recent press conference, Hunt stated, "I really think at this point it makes sense for us to go our separate ways."
Clark Hunt: Chiefs and Royals will go their "separate ways" in the search for a stadium solution. https://t.co/eKG9vaAyS1
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 28, 2024
Despite the challenges, Hunt mentioned that staying at Arrowhead is a viable option, stating, "Arrowhead is a special place for our family and our fan base."
Hunt also suggested the possibility of a new stadium, either as an open-air venue or a domed facility, which he believes could extend the stadium’s lifespan for another 25 years.
Whether it means renovating Arrowhead or building a new facility, it"s clear that the Chiefs are prepared to tackle this stadium issue head-on.
As the Chiefs begin to explore their options, a split from the Royals might well be on the horizon. The failed bid has unquestionably created an uncertain future for both teams.
