Kansas City Royals Ownership Urges Expedited Stadium Decision
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — John Sherman, the owner of the Kansas City Royals,
emphasized on Monday the pressing need for the team to determine its future venue beyond the
expiration of its lease at Kauffman Stadium in 2031.
The organization has explored various stadium locations within the Kansas City area, discarding
options such as one in Overland Park, Kansas. They are now focusing on potential sites in downtown
Kansas City, Clay County across the Missouri River, and even possible relocation to Kansas
City, Kansas.
This would put the Royals in line with their NFL counterpart, the Kansas City Chiefs,
who announced plans in December for a new $3 billion domed stadium as part of a public-private
partnership near Kansas Speedway to replace Arrowhead Stadium.
While Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium are situated close to each other at the Truman Sports
Complex in Jackson County, Missouri, Sherman noted the accelerated timeline for the Royals.
“It’s perilous to set a deadline, but we are picking up the pace,” he remarked as the Royals
prepared for their home opener against the Minnesota Twins.
“There’s a significant urgency in general.”
Considering that the construction of a new stadium typically requires four to five years, the
timeline for the Royals has become increasingly compressed. Their last significant decision was
in April 2024, when they collaborated with the Chiefs on a plan to revamp Arrowhead Stadium
and replace Kauffman Stadium with a venue downtown. However, the Jackson County voters rejected
an extension of a tax to fund the initiatives, leading the two franchises to part ways.
While the Chiefs have secured their future location, the Royals aim to finalize their plans in
the following months. “We are eager to identify where the next home of the Kansas City Royals
will be,” Sherman stated, indicating a preference for downtown but remaining open to other
options.
Sherman recently observed the Royals’ season opener in Atlanta, where Truist Park is a key part
of a vibrant mixed-use development. Having experienced the lively atmosphere surrounding the
ballpark, he expressed admiration for the design and functionality of such a project.
Key factors in the forthcoming stadium deal include site control, which varies across potential
locations, and securing public funding. Sherman recognized the complexity and challenges inherent
in forming public-private partnerships across different jurisdictions but remains optimistic about
making strides in the process.
At the same time, Jackson County officials have proactively begun preparing for the eventual
relocations of the Chiefs and Royals. They announced the establishment of a task force that will
meet next month, tasked with generating recommendations for future use of the Truman Sports
Complex.
“As we prepare for a future where neither team will reside in the sports complex, I must ensure
the valuable county-owned land does not remain unused,” stated Phil LeVota, Jackson County’s
executive.
