TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas City Chiefs are asking for more time to consider an offer from the state of Kansas to help finance a new stadium project, potentially shifting the team’s home away from Missouri.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson announced Thursday that legislative leaders will convene on July 7 to consider extending the current deadline for the Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals to accept financial support for new sports facilities in the state. The current deadline for securing STAR (Sales Tax and Revenue) bond funding is June 30, 2025.

Masterson confirmed that Chiefs President Mark Donovan reached out to request an extension due to “substantial progress” in talks with the Kansas Department of Commerce about an ambitious NFL complex on the Kansas side of the state line. The envisioned project includes a stadium, team headquarters, training facility, and other commercial developments.

“The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,” said Masterson. “Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.”

Last year, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation authorizing STAR bonds to cover up to 70% of stadium construction costs. But Missouri recently responded with its own counter-offer: Gov. Mike Kehoe approved a funding package that would pay for up to 50% of new or renovated stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals, with the state’s contribution capped at $1.5 billion.

Both franchises currently play in stadiums built in the 1970s on the Missouri side of Kansas City. Their potential departure has reignited a long-standing rivalry between the two states over economic development incentives.

In a letter to Masterson, Donovan emphasized the complexity of the Chiefs’ Kansas proposal and the importance of finalizing a mutually beneficial deal.

“The complexity and scale of the project, and the importance of crafting a structure that works for all stakeholders, make it clear that more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition,” Donovan wrote.

He added that the Chiefs have had “multiple rounds of dialogue” with Kansas officials but have waited over six weeks for a response to their latest proposal.

“Extending the secretary’s authority will allow that process to continue productively and will preserve Kansas’ ability to secure the most significant economic development initiative in its history,” Donovan’s letter concluded.

The Legislative Coordinating Council, which handles state business outside the regular session, will consider the extension during its meeting in Topeka at 2 p.m. on July 7.
If Kansas succeeds in landing the Chiefs, it would mark a dramatic realignment in professional sports geography and economic competition in the Midwest. The use of STAR bonds—originally designed for retail and tourism projects—has raised eyebrows but could be pivotal in attracting a high-profile NFL franchise. Meanwhile, Missouri’s $1.5 billion counteroffer signals how far the state is willing to go to retain its teams and related tax revenue.

This tug-of-war underscores how professional sports franchises continue to leverage relocation threats to secure public subsidies, often sparking fierce debates over long-term taxpayer value.

Originally reported by Tim Carpenter in Missouri Independent.