First the Chiefs, now the Royals. The Kansas City Royals are exploring Kansas as a potential home for the team’s new ballpark. Royal’s Vice President of Communications, Sam Mellinger, says they have to explore all options that are are available to them in respect to a new stadium. The Kansas Legislature will hold a Special Session, starting June 18th, where Legislators are expected to propose making changes to Kansas Star Bond Program to attract major sports teams to the state. Star Bonds act as loans that assist developers build attractions. It would cost the Kansas taxpayers nothing. Kansas Representative Sean Tarwater says he will propose allowing Star Bonds to cover 75% of a project’s cost rather than the current 50% cap. Mellinger says the team needs a place to play and they will explore the Star Bond Discussion as a path for the team.
The Royals previously aimed to build a new ballpark in Kansas City, Missouri’s Crossroads Arts District, but their plans were halted in April when voters rejected the renewal of a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund stadium projects.
