In a surprising twist, the state of Kansas is making a play to entice the Kansas City Chiefs to relocate from Missouri to Kansas with the approval of a House Bill that alters the criteria for STAR (sales tax and revenue) bonds qualification, as reported by KCTV CBS 5. The proposed bill requires any pro sports team development to include a 30,000-plus seat complex with at least $1 billion in investment, aiming to attract not only the Chiefs but also the potential new stadium plans of the Kansas City Royals.

Previously, the Chiefs had announced their intention to renovate GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. However, the voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a sales tax measure that would have funded these major renovations, leaving the Chiefs in search of alternative options. With the bill in Kansas removing the need for a stadium sales tax to be put up for a vote, the Chiefs now have the liberty to consider moving across the state line if a deal cannot be reached with Jackson County.

Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt expressed a sense of urgency, acknowledging the need to explore other possibilities, stating, "I do feel very much a sense of urgency, and we will approach it from a broader perspective going forward because time is short for us at this point. So, we need to see what other options are out there for us." While Hunt emphasized the significance of Arrowhead Stadium to the team and its fanbase, he acknowledged that a new stadium might make more sense for their future.

With the option to build a new stadium, the Chiefs appear to be leaning towards this course of action. Speculation surrounds the nature of the potential new venue, as Hunt stated, "That may involve a new stadium, and it could be an open-air stadium or it could be a dome stadium." This indicates that the Chiefs are open to considering various designs and configurations.

The state of Kansas is seizing the opportunity to enhance its sporting landscape, hoping to attract not only the Chiefs but also the possibility of the Royals' new stadium plans. The House Bill, if approved, will allow Kansas municipalities to issue STAR bonds to finance these ambitious projects. By requiring a significant investment and a large seating capacity, Kansas aims to create major commercial, entertainment, and tourism hubs centered around these sports arenas.

While the Chiefs have yet to make a final decision, the prospect of a new stadium in Kansas is gaining traction. The team is not completely abandoning its attachment to Arrowhead Stadium but recognizes that a new venue may better serve their long-term goals. As Hunt explained, "We were obviously very focused on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium... But we're just going to have to be open-minded in how we approach this."

As the Chiefs weigh their options, fans and stakeholders eagerly await news of any developments regarding the potential relocation and the possibility of a state-of-the-art stadium.