Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Open to Royals Stadium Deal if Team Engages
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has expressed her willingness to engage with the Kansas City Royals regarding their stadium plans. This comes after Kansas leaders established a deadline of December 31, 2025, for the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs to accept a STAR bond offer aimed at financing new stadiums and entertainment districts.
Kansas City Royals Explore Stadium Options
The Chiefs have already embraced this opportunity, securing up to $1.8 billion in incentives. These will facilitate their move to new facilities in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, Kansas. However, the Royals have yet to commit to a specific location for their stadium.
Kansas Legislative Stance
- Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins stated that the legislature is unlikely to extend the deadline for the Royals.
- Hawkins emphasized that discussions would proceed without additional engagement from the team.
Despite this, Gov. Kelly remains optimistic and is open to continued dialogue with the Royals. She commented, “I think we just need to give them some time to sort through some of the issues and concerns that they’re dealing with.”
However, she also indicated uncertainty about the feasibility of a STAR bond package at this stage.
Governor Kelly’s Political Future
As a Democrat in her final term, Gov. Kelly’s future in politics has become a topic of speculation. Some Republican leaders have raised questions about her potential candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
Addressing these speculations, Kelly responded humorously, “Oh, their paranoia runs deep, doesn’t it? And I’m going to let it keep running deep.” She also stated in a recent interview her intention not to pursue any political office in the future.
As discussions unfold, both the Royals and Kansas leadership will have to navigate the complexities of public engagement and financing options for impending stadium projects.
