TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks with his head down in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Chiefs have been playing in Kansas City since 1963, but the longevity of Arrowhead Stadium and their home city are now being questioned by President Mark Donovan.
During a recent interview with KSHB 41 in Kansas City, Donovan noted that an upcoming sales tax vote could put the option of a relocation on the table. If the sales tax fails, “I think they would have to include leaving Kansas City,” Donovan stated.
On the other hand, Donovan made it clear that the Chiefs would like to stay in the city where they spent the past 61 years. Their recently unveiled plans for an $800 million renovation to Arrowhead Stadium would be hindered if these finances force them to relocate to another city.
“Our goal here is, we want to stay here. And we’re willing to accept a deal for the county to actually stay here,” Donovan said.
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If the Chiefs stay in Kansas City, which is clearly the most desirable outcome, the renovation to Arrowhead would upgrade almost everything. Parking and tailgating would be expanded, and new video boards and better luxury amenities would be added. A 360-degree concourse allowing fans to navigate the entire stadium when on the upper level would also be built.
If the tax extension gets approved, the Chiefs will sign a 25-year lease at Arrowhead which would include a team option for three five-year extensions. Even if the extension gets voted down, the Chiefs could stay in Arrowhead for seven more years since the current lease expires in 2031. Nonetheless, Chiefs fans in Kansas City would certainly begin to worry.
Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt has already said that the Chiefs definitely won’t be signing a new lease if the tax is not extended, so there’s not much guaranteed in Kansas City after those seven years.
“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” Hunt said in late February. “So the financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”
Coming off of their third Super Bowl win in five years, the Chiefs are in the middle of a historic dynasty.
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