The Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of creating the next major dynasty in professional sports heading into 2024 with the goal of winning their third-straight Super Bowl.
But there has been recent speculation the franchise may be nearing a move from Missouri to Kansas. The Chiefs’ lease at Arrowhead Stadium, their home since 1972, is set to expire in 2030, and despite extensive renovations between 2007-2010, the organization is keen on further improvements.
However, with an estimated cost of $800 million, funding these renovations has become a contentious issue.
The Kansas City Chiefs have seen a surge in popularity since drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017, winning three Super Bowl championships in the past seven years and drawing larger crowds than ever before. In order to compete with rival stadiums, the Chiefs are eager to upgrade their facilities.
Voters in Jackson County, where Arrowhead is located, recently rejected a sales tax measure that would have partially funded the renovations, prompting the team to consider other options post-2030. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt has hinted that a move to Kansas could be a viable option, but Mahomes has made it clear that he believes the fans should be the priority. His love for the people of Kansas City and his emotional attachment to Arrowhead Stadium suggest he may not be in favor of the potential relocation.
“You can walk down the street and people come up and are like ‘We love what you do, we love your work’ and they want to let you have a great day they’re not trying to take pictures. The people make the city.”
He also shared his appreciation for the local fans: “I do love the fans. The best part of Kansas City is that they love it but they embrace everybody that comes to the games and they tailgate it. There’s not a ton to do so they really enjoy those football games.”
Still, there are rumors the Chiefs may end up relocating and the NFL franchise could end up in another city nowhere close to Kansas or Missouri.
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Tensions are high in Jackson County following the failed April 2nd vote that would’ve extended a 3/8th-cent sales tax to help finance renovations at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and a new Royals stadium in downtown Kansas City.
Both teams are considering potential moves, with Kansas or a different county near Kansas City being the most likely options. However, Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca recently suggested that cities in Texas could try to poach the Chiefs, specifically San Antonio.
That’s right, the Kansas City Chiefs could make a move to Texas.
According to KMBC, Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca reckons something could be going on behind the scenes to get the team to move to San Antonio, which would mark a return to Texas as the Kansas City Chiefs used to be the Dallas Texans during their AFL days in the 1960s.
“There’s murmurings about it, but the fact that there’s even murmurings means that something’s going on,”Abarca was quoted as saying.
Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros was quick to dismiss the possibility, saying he’s unaware of any efforts by city leaders to bring the Chiefs to town. Cisneros noted the long history between the Chiefs and Kansas City, declaring, “that should be a marriage that lasts in perpetuity.”
It sounds like the Kansas City Chiefs agree as well. Whether or not other cities make attempts to land the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, it appears that Clark Hunt and team officials will do everything in their power to keep the franchise where it belongs.