Chiefs, Royals unveil stadium lease agreements with sports authority pending voter approval

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PARK. ONE ELEMENT THAT WAS JUST FINALIZED THE LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR THE ROYALS AND CHIEFS. THIS ALL HINGES ON THE VOTERS PASSING THE PLAN. KMBC NINE JACKSON KURTZ CONTINUES. OUR BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE, EXPLAINING THE NEXT FOCUS. WELL, THE TOP BRASS FOR THE ROYALS AND THE CHIEFS WERE AT THAT MEETING. THEY GAVE US A SUMMARY OF THE LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR BOTH TEAMS. A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS SUMMARY. A 25 YEAR COMMITMENT BY THE CHIEFS STATING INSIDE AND A 40 YEAR COMMITMENT BY THE ROYALS TO STAY IN JACKSON COUNTY. THAT IS, OF COURSE, IF QUESTION ONE IS A YES, VOTE. BOTH THE JACKSON COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY AND TEAM LEADERS TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS TO GET TO THIS POINT, 25 YEAR LEASE ON A BUILDING THAT'S ALREADY 50 YEARS OLD, GOING TO BE 60 YEARS OLD BY THE TIME WE GET GOING. HERE IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE REACHED AGREEMENT ON THAT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE ALSO AGREED TO THREE FIVE YEAR EXTENSIONS. SO THAT WOULD TAKE IT TO 40 YEARS. IF WE'RE ABLE TO EXERCISE THOSE EXTENSIONS. THE SPORTS AUTHORITY SAYS YOU CAN READ THE FULL LEASE AGREEMENTS ON THEIR WEBSITE FROM ARROWHEAD JACKSON KURTZ KMBC NINE NEWS. AN EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY FOR THE APRIL 2ND ELECTION. YOU CAN COUNT ON KMBC NINE FOR UPDATES ON VOTER TURNOUT A

Leadership from both groups signed a new lease deal with the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

The Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to keeping the teams in Kansas City and Jackson County.Leadership from both groups signed a new lease deal with the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.The Chiefs' lease terms outline a 25-year lease with three five-year renewal options after Kauffman Stadium is demolished. Rent for the Chiefs will be $1,100,000 per year plus percentage rent.The Royals' lease terms under the agreement will last 40 years, with two renewal options of five years apiece.The term ends with the end of the 40-year sales tax. The Royals' new stadium is projected to open in Spring 2028, and the Royals will pay $2,750,000 a year for rent. "A 25-year lease on a building that is already 50 years old, going to be 60 years old, by the time we get going here is the right thing to do," said Chiefs president Mark Donovan. "It's important to note that we agreed to three five-year extensions so that would take it to 40 years if we're able to exercise those extensions." The least comes as the Royals announced an update to their downtown stadium plan - keeping Oak Street open. "We listen to the community, to Crossroads business owners, to the community in general, to elected officials that they view," said Brooks Sherman, president of business operations for the Royals. "Oak Street being open is something that that they very much want."Under the agreement, Jackson County is not responsible for the costs of demolition of Kauffman Stadium; however, a new bond issue might include funds for demolition.You can watch the lease signing here: Jackson County executive Frank White's statementJackson County executive Frank White issued a statement following the announcement. It reads: "Today, reports have emerged about documents signed by the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority and the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. It is imperative to clarify to the residents of Jackson County that these documents do not constitute leases with Jackson County. The Sports Complex Authority operates independently and does not have the authority to commit or act on behalf of Jackson County in matters of leasing or similar legal agreements."Any lease or similar agreement involving county-owned property must undergo a rigorous and transparent process. This includes approval by the Jackson County Legislature, which is predicated on thorough public hearings, extensive debate and valuable community input. Our commitment to transparency and public participation in these processes is unwavering."Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that there has been misleading communication regarding the nature of these documents by the involved teams. The actual documents have not been made available for public scrutiny or journalistic review. This lack of transparency is concerning, as it hinders the ability of journalists to effectively inform the public and prevents our community from making informed decisions, especially as they pertain to matters of significant public interest and potential impact at the polls."County Executive Frank White, Jr. will provide further comments on this matter once the documents in question are released and fully reviewed. Our office is committed to ensuring that the public is accurately informed and that the processes involving public assets and interests are conducted with the highest degree of transparency and accountability."We urge the parties involved to release the documents to the public and to the media to ensure that the community is fully informed. Our residents deserve no less than a transparent, open process that allows for informed decision-making and robust public participation."Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The trust and confidence of the Jackson County community remain our utmost priority."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

The Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to keeping the teams in Kansas City and Jackson County.

Leadership from both groups signed a new lease deal with the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

The Chiefs' lease terms outline a 25-year lease with three five-year renewal options after Kauffman Stadium is demolished.

Rent for the Chiefs will be $1,100,000 per year plus percentage rent.

The Royals' lease terms under the agreement will last 40 years, with two renewal options of five years apiece.

The term ends with the end of the 40-year sales tax.

The Royals' new stadium is projected to open in Spring 2028, and the Royals will pay $2,750,000 a year for rent.

"A 25-year lease on a building that is already 50 years old, going to be 60 years old, by the time we get going here is the right thing to do," said Chiefs president Mark Donovan. "It's important to note that we agreed to three five-year extensions so that would take it to 40 years if we're able to exercise those extensions."

The least comes as the Royals announced an update to their downtown stadium plan - keeping Oak Street open.

"We listen to the community, to Crossroads business owners, to the community in general, to elected officials that they view," said Brooks Sherman, president of business operations for the Royals. "Oak Street being open is something that that they very much want."

Under the agreement, Jackson County is not responsible for the costs of demolition of Kauffman Stadium; however, a new bond issue might include funds for demolition.

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You can watch the lease signing here:

Jackson County executive Frank White's statement

Jackson County executive Frank White issued a statement following the announcement.

It reads:

"Today, reports have emerged about documents signed by the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority and the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. It is imperative to clarify to the residents of Jackson County that these documents do not constitute leases with Jackson County. The Sports Complex Authority operates independently and does not have the authority to commit or act on behalf of Jackson County in matters of leasing or similar legal agreements.

"Any lease or similar agreement involving county-owned property must undergo a rigorous and transparent process. This includes approval by the Jackson County Legislature, which is predicated on thorough public hearings, extensive debate and valuable community input. Our commitment to transparency and public participation in these processes is unwavering.

"Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that there has been misleading communication regarding the nature of these documents by the involved teams. The actual documents have not been made available for public scrutiny or journalistic review. This lack of transparency is concerning, as it hinders the ability of journalists to effectively inform the public and prevents our community from making informed decisions, especially as they pertain to matters of significant public interest and potential impact at the polls.

"County Executive Frank White, Jr. will provide further comments on this matter once the documents in question are released and fully reviewed. Our office is committed to ensuring that the public is accurately informed and that the processes involving public assets and interests are conducted with the highest degree of transparency and accountability.

"We urge the parties involved to release the documents to the public and to the media to ensure that the community is fully informed. Our residents deserve no less than a transparent, open process that allows for informed decision-making and robust public participation.

"Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The trust and confidence of the Jackson County community remain our utmost priority."

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