Kansas City Chiefs’ CEO Discusses the Future of Arrowhead Stadium.
The Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed their first day off from training camp on Thursday, giving players a chance to rest and possibly visit family before resuming practice with pads on Friday. However, despite the break, the team is still making news due to an ongoing off-field concern.
Since owner Lamar Hunt relocated the team to Kansas City in 1963 and renamed it the Chiefs, the franchise has enjoyed significant success, including three AFL championships in the 1960s, the most of any team during that decade.
Over their 61-year history in Kansas City, the Chiefs have won four Super Bowls. As the 2024 offseason approached, discussions about the future of Arrowhead Stadium became prominent, leading to various potential solutions.
“GEHA Field at Arrowhead is a unique place, cherished by our fans, players, and coaches,” Hunt said. “We’ve heard from many season ticket holders about how special Arrowhead is to them, and while we recognize that, we also need to consider the future.”
One option, a sales tax measure to fund major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium and a new downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals, was rejected by Jackson County voters in April.
Following this setback, Kansas lawmakers passed a house bill that altered the criteria for STAR Bonds, a financing tool intended to support major commercial, entertainment, and tourism projects.
“We’re grateful to the Kansas legislature for passing the updated STAR Bond bill, which could help us explore stadium options,” Hunt noted. “We’re evaluating whether it’s better to renovate our current stadium or build a new one, which could potentially be located on the Missouri side as well.”
Chiefs’ team president Mark Donovan emphasized the urgency of the situation last week, stating the organization aims to finalize stadium plans within the next six months, given that their lease ends in 2031.
“We hope to make significant progress in the next six months,” Donovan said. “Given my experience with stadium projects, I know they can be slow and unpredictable, so expecting to reach a conclusion within six months might be optimistic.”
Should the Chiefs choose to construct a new stadium rather than renovate Arrowhead, fans might avoid enduring another game in extreme cold conditions.
“If we go that route, we’d certainly consider a dome,” Hunt said. “A dome would allow us to host a variety of events, which could be beneficial for the community.”
