@Toast88 sorry to pry you away from the enthralling punter debate, but what’s the latest with stadium shitshow in KC?
Oh boy, I have thoughts, my friend. People are taking the KC vote failure completely wrong because they’re not seeing the local political machinations.
I’ve heard the Kansas City failed stadium vote mentioned many times as an example of how residents don’t want to publicly finance stadiums anymore.
While I don’t doubt that’s what people around the country took from the vote, it would be a patently false conclusion to take from this particular vote.
The vote did not fail spectacularly because people here are against publicly-financed stadiums. Everyone here in Kansas City knows that. In fact, it’s generally understood that the Royals will likely be getting a publicly-financed downtown ballpark in the next few years, but the location and additional factors made this particular vote fall apart. The vote is extremely likely to pass once they decide to build it on the Riverfront or a downtown location with land (there are several spots) that doesn’t disrupt an entire entertainment district.
The vote failed because of the hubris of Royals owner John Sherman and because the particular location of the proposed stadium would’ve knocked out many beloved businesses of the Crossroads Entertainment District of Kansas City. John Sherman announced an intention to build a new ballpark in September, and a vote was held earlier this calendar year.
The Royals did not even start to reach out to local stakeholders (like affected businesses, residents, the schools, etc.) until THE WEEK BEFORE THE VOTE. It’s generally believed that Royals ownership was so sure it would easily pass, they didn’t even think to properly involve the community. That approach ended up being misguided.
Facing a surefire loss at the voting booth in the weeks leading up, the Royals---in a last-ditch effort to save the vote---included an Arrowhead Stadium renovation in the vote WITH MERE WEEKS LEFT BEFORE THE VOTE because they believed people would be more likely to vote yes with the world champion Chiefs involved. The vote failed, because this was clearly rammed-through proposal that didn’t go through the proper channels, involve the proper people, or give enough time for full understanding & feedback with the community and fans.
Note that the Arrowhead Renovation would be fairly minor---not a new stadium and not a stadium overhaul. The Chiefs were included to solicit a yes vote on the Royals’ new proposed stadium.
This was not some big statement vote on publicly-financed stadiums. Rest assured, John Sherman and the Royals will get their approval for a new downtown stadium. They’ll come out soon, announce a new location that doesn’t have to kick out a bunch of beloved businesses in an entertainment district, announce an agreement with affected stakeholders like the school district, and solicit feedback from the public early on in the process this time.
A lot of noise from Kansas lawmakers who want to poach one or both teams to that side of the state line. Seems unlikely. The Hunts & John Sherman both have very good relationships with KCMO, and Kansas politics are even crazier than Missouri’s.
The Royals will get their city ballpark, and the Chiefs will eventually get their renovation or a new stadium, both in KCMO. Bank on it.