McDowell: Why The Chiefs Pursuit to Renovate Arrowhead Has Hit A Snag

[tk13]

We've been talking about this for a few weeks over in the Royals thread. It's been interesting to see how quiet the Chiefs have been while the Royals negotiate for a new stadium, and in the last couple weeks there's more and more smoke that the Chiefs and Royals staying in Jackson County is not a sure thing. Sam McDowell finally wrote about it. It's a very long column so I just picked some highlights. It's a good breakdown of the situation. It sounds like Kansas hasn't made any serious offers but they're the obvious alternative if Jackson County decides to punt, and it sounds like the Royals and Chiefs want answers soon.

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/sp...282553078.html

The Chiefs are quietly evaluating the need to pursue alternatives outside Jackson County as their push to negotiate a renewal of a county-wide sales tax has failed to launch substantive conversations, multiple sources told The Star. Well, it was quietly. You’re probably aware of the recent rhetoric, including from some local politicians, implying that the Chiefs already have one foot out the door — and are strutting toward Kansas, no less. That gasoline-on-the-fire message follows a worst-case-scenario playbook, not to mention a Kansas City tactic of pitting two states against each other for its prized assets. But this doesn’t paint an entirely accurate picture. The Chiefs have not engaged in serious conversations with outside parties about a move across the state line, sources told me, a sentiment confirmed to The Star’s Katie Bernard by Brianna Johnson, a spokeswoman for Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. That doesn’t mean they won’t.

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The Royals started and initially drove the stadium conversation, not only publicly, but behind the scenes too. The Chiefs weren’t completely silent observers, but they appeared content to allow the Royals to negotiate a new lease with Jackson County and county executive Frank White, and then follow with what would ideally be a smoother and quicker conversation.

The latter has just simply not been the case. The former, waiting on the conclusion of Royals’ negotiations, has since changed. What’s been lost along the way is that the Chiefs, too, are interested in an April 2024 ballot measure, for reasons I’ll cover here. And as a Jan. 23 deadline to secure that ballot measure has neared, they ignited their own talks, separate from the Royals, earlier this fall. “We have met with Frank and the county attorneys in an introductory meeting,” Chiefs team president Mark Donovan said in a statement. “We shared that we would like to focus on extending the current 3/8th-cent sales tax. This partnership has served us well for over 50 years, and we look forward to working with them to enhance the amazing community asset that GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium has become.” Where do those talks stand now? “We have not heard back from the county,” Donovan said.

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The Chiefs have sought a 25-year renewal of the 3/8th-cent sales tax passed in 2006, as Donovan’s statement said, with no significant additions to the long-standing lease. That’s the path they are attempting to navigate, with a conclusion that would keep them at Arrowhead, a fan-favorite, for the next quarter-century. But in my discussions with an array of politicos, it’s evident to many that White does not believe the current lease agreement benefits Jackson County, which funds and manages the facilities but does not receive direct revenue from the stadiums. The deal is more complicated than the tax — for example, no one has raised a hand to pay for demolition of Kauffman Stadium if the Royals move, an expense that would total tens of millions of dollars.

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White is positioned at the center of this saga as the county executive who just so happens to be a member of the Royals Hall of Fame. But his lack of eagerness to extend the status quo is not an isolated view within the county, sources said. He has at least some support from the legislature, though there are varying opinions about the reach and depth of that support. And therefore it’s notable that others within the county government want to create a path for the Chiefs to circumvent White by securing backing from a majority of the legislators to extend the sales tax. There is doubt, however, about whether they would have enough support to override a potential veto from White, if it were to come to that.

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The Royals, who have had more frequent meetings with the county, have stated their preference to play downtown baseball sooner rather than later. Their recent focus has primarily been analyzing the logistics of the former Kansas City Star press building along the south loop, and they have started the process of creating renderings for the site, sources said. They’ve also publicly stated their target of an April ballot measure, which comes with that rapidly approaching Jan. 23 deadline. It’s a deadline that the Chiefs are targeting, too — with a more concrete plan, at least to date. I’ll put this out there before I continue: In the course of speaking with several people for this column, there are overwhelmingly more who classify an April ballot measure as a long-shot than those who expect the county and teams to reach an agreement before the mid-January date.

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/sp...#storylink=cpy

[TinyEvel]

Yo I think the parking fees and beer profits from just one season should be able to pay for a new stadium.

[DanT]

If the Royals leave Jackson County, why should Jackson County extend the same 3/8th percent sales tax that was good enough for both the 80+ Royals games and the 15 or so Chiefs games every year?
It should be lower, I would think.
Also, if one county subsidizing a stadium is such a great deal for the people in that county, let's see what other county wants to do it.
Frank White ain't no dummy. He grew up near the old stadium and there were plenty of wise and respected folks there and elsewhere who questioned the fairness and the reasons for leaving Municipal and who was paying for it. White physically worked to build the Truman Sports Complex as a laborer before he made the majors, and he overcame lots of doubts about him as a player to become one of the Royals' all-time greats. He also has had a direct eye on the racism that has affected generations of Kansas Citizens on playing fields, in schools, at stores, in elections, and in many other venues. Those are the facts, which many will deny, but none of us who spent considerable parts of our lives in Kansas City's inner city listening to our elders and simply seeing what was going on would. I say that as a white man who is now relatively well-off, and living in sunny California. Racism doesn't explain everything. Some of it is simply classism, the rich being savvy about screwing the poor, which they are so good at that they get the poor to argue against their own interests.
Being mad at someone because they don't want to take a deal that is supposedly in their interest to take is stupid. If it actually is in their interest, prove it. If it isn't, then how about pulling your heads out of the mega-rich people's asses and realizing that you're being pimped?

[HonestChieffan]

All about the grift anyway. Who stands to gain? Owner, Mayor, Unions, Contractors, council

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

Lol this is an awful excuse to pay for billionaires. As a KCMO resident it would be awesome if both went to KS

Why? This would not be good for KCMO or Missouri in general.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

The extension of the existing tax seems fair enough to exist in the pro sports space

Footing the bill to demolish Kauffman seems kind of shitty but probably negotiable

So unless there's something more, and I didn't read the entire article, just the OP, it seems the hang up isn't the burden on tax payers but Jackson County (or White) feeling like they're not getting a big enough piece of the revenue pie from the teams

Originally Posted by DanT

If the Royals leave Jackson County, why should Jackson County extend the same 3/8th percent sales tax that was good enough for both the 80+ Royals games and the 15 or so Chiefs games every year?
It should be lower, I would think.
Also, if one county subsidizing a stadium is such a great deal for the people in that county, let's see what other county wants to do it.
Frank White ain't no dummy. He grew up near the old stadium and there were plenty of wise and respected folks there and elsewhere who questioned the fairness and the reasons for leaving Municipal and who was paying for it. White physically worked to build the Truman Sports Complex as a laborer before he made the majors, and he overcame lots of doubts about him as a player to become one of the Royals' all-time greats. He also has had a direct eye on the racism that has affected generations of Kansas Citizens on playing fields, in schools, at stores, in elections, and in many other venues. Those are the facts, which many will deny, but none of us who spent considerable parts of our lives in Kansas City's inner city listening to our elders and simply seeing what was going on would. I say that as a white man who is now relatively well-off, and living in sunny California. Racism doesn't explain everything. Some of it is simply classism, the rich being savvy about screwing the poor, which they are so good at that they get the poor to argue against their own interests.
Being mad at someone because they don't want to take a deal that is supposedly in their interest to take is stupid. If it actually is in their interest, prove it. If it isn't, then how about pulling your heads out of the mega-rich people's asses and realizing that you're being pimped?

Really? Hell no.
The cost of everything has skyrocketed. The renewal of the existing is not fair. It is a huge win for the county and state as it lowers the actual $$$ to the teams because of inflation on many many levels.
The team that is a perennial bottom-feeding loser does not deserve the same as a team that is as successful as the Chiefs have been.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Really? Hell no.
The cost of everything has skyrocketed. The renewal of the existing is not fair. It is a huge win for the county and state as it lowers the actual $$$ to the teams because of inflation on many many levels.
The team that is a perennial bottom-feeding loser does not deserve the same as a team that is as successful as the Chiefs have been.

Per the OP the Chiefs are just asking for an extension of the existing tax so I assume they think its fair. Unless I'm misreading your post.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Per the OP the Chiefs are just asking for an extension of the existing tax so I assume they think its fair. Unless I'm misreading your post.

That is what the OP states. The county should jump on that as a bargain and that the Chiefs are wanting to stay at a lesser rate than what is actually achievable by such a successful franchise.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Per the OP the Chiefs are just asking for an extension of the existing tax so I assume they think its fair. Unless I'm misreading your post.

It is unfair for Jackson County tax payers to pay the whole freight of the stadiums. What do they get out of it but ticket access one day early once a year? but, life ain't fair.

Those other counties' ain't going to vote for a tax increase on themselves when they know Jackson county will cover the cost.

[DanT]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Really? Hell no.
The cost of everything has skyrocketed. The renewal of the existing is not fair. It is a huge win for the county and state as it lowers the actual $$$ to the teams because of inflation on many many levels.
The team that is a perennial bottom-feeding loser does not deserve the same as a team that is as successful as the Chiefs have been.

The sales tax is a percentage. If the prices on taxable goods go up, the total sales tax revenue increases proportionately.
On the other hand, if one of two major tenants leaves and their vacated space no longer requires subsidizing, then demands on those revenues could and should be lowered, particularly if profitable uses can be made to the space, which is what the stakeholders want, both the County and the Chiefs. The trick is to spread the burdens and rewards equitably, which could be a challenge if basic math skills are lacking in local residents.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

It is unfair for Jackson County tax payers to pay the whole freight of the stadiums. What do they get out of it but ticket access one day early once a year? but, life ain't fair.

Those other counties' ain't going to vote for a tax increase on themselves when they know Jackson county will cover the cost.

It’s the same tax they’ve been paying. The rest is on the teams (sans the demolition of Kauffman apparently)

So on the surface it doesn’t seem like a tax payer issue or a team issue but a Jackson County government unhappy with their cut of the revenue issue

Unless there’s more to the story that I’m missing

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by DanT

The sales tax is a percentage. If the prices on taxable goods go up, the total sales tax revenue increases proportionately.
On the other hand, if one of two major tenants leaves and their vacated space no longer requires subsidizing, then demands on those revenues could and should be lowered, particularly if profitable uses can be made to the space, which is what the stakeholders want, both the County and the Chiefs. The trick is to spread the burdens and rewards equitably, which could be a challenge if basic math skills are lacking in local residents.

I understand that but at $1,000,000 the revenue would be 3,750 and if the same items now cost $1,100,000 the revenue would be 4,125.

With the cost of everything along with the increase of necessities to get players to remain a winner, there is simply not enough revenue to keep the facility at or near the top of the league.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

It is unfair for Jackson County tax payers to pay the whole freight of the stadiums. What do they get out of it but ticket access one day early once a year? but, life ain't fair.

Those other counties' ain't going to vote for a tax increase on themselves when they know Jackson county will cover the cost.

Does that county also get the majority of the tax revenue created by having the team there?

[scho63]

I never lived in KC so this perspective is from an outsider:

I think Arrowhead is an awesome stadium that has withstood the test of time.

If renovations are really not going to make substantial improvements, then I think the best option is for the Royals to get a new smaller stadium in downtown KC, build a brand new stadium where the Royals play that is for the Chiefs, concerts and events. Then once complete the Chiefs can move over to the new stadium and Arrowhead can be demolished and something added like a few nice hotels to host visitors.

I think the size of the place solely for the Chiefs would be awesome.

Not sure if all the long term season ticket holders feel like Arrowhead is past it's prime and want more amenities they currently don't have.

[Rainbarrel]

Let the cheap ass Kansans support the Royals for a change

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

It’s the same tax they’ve been paying. The rest is on the teams (sans the demolition of Kauffman apparently)

So on the surface it doesn’t seem like a tax payer issue or a team issue but a Jackson County government unhappy with their cut of the revenue issue

Unless there’s more to the story that I’m missing

And Frank White being a bitch because the Royals fired his ass from the tv booth and wouldn't consider him for manager.