Royals owner issues statement on $6bn relocation as Missouri faces losing second team after Chiefs

Last week, Missouri could lay claim to two franchises with world championships in the last decade.

But the NFL‘s Kansas City Chiefs have been lured over state lines and, per multiple reports, their neighboring Royals are set to announce their own relocation before the year is out.

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The Chiefs confirmed their switch to a $4 billion development in Kansas, which will include a state-of-the-art domed stadium, practice facility, headquarters and mixed-up development.

MLB‘s Royals have been based alongside them in the Truman Sports Complex for five decades.

“Proud to be your next-door neighbor for 52 years,” the team posted in a statement on social media. “Proud to be part of the Kingdom into the future.”

The teams are keen to stay friends after an amicable parting.

“On behalf of the Kansas City Royals, I want to wish the Hunt family and the entire Chiefs organization all the best on this important day,” added Royals owner John Sherman. “Though a few more miles may separate us in the future, let’s continue our work as we build a world-class championship sports legacy for the Kansas City region.”

Kansas City Royals face stadium decision deadline

Between them, the Chiefs and Royals brought four championships to Missouri.

Eyebrows were raised when the Royals were not present in a meeting between the NFL team and lawmakers before the decision was confirmed.

Bosses have a “firm” December 31 deadline to inform Kansas of their intentions, sources told Fox 4 reporter John Holt.

Kansas City radio broadcaster Bob Fescoe thinks that the 2015 World Series champions will soon confirm that they are leaving Missouri behind as well.

Arrowhead Stadium and Kaufmann Stadium were in need of major refurbishments having stood since the early 1970s.

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But Jackson County voters denied a financing bill, opening the door for Kansas to swoop.

The Royals have identified three sites for a $2 billion new home with two in Missouri — downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City.

Overland Park, Kansas, is also in the running, although Leawood Mayor Marc Elkins has already come out against the location.

“These are complex, multi-jurisdictional, public-private partnerships. They always take longer than any of us hope,” admitted Sherman recently.

“They really should take a long time. This is a generational decision. But we’ve got to get it right.

“We’ve got to get it right for our club, for our fans, for the community.”

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The Chiefs are landing a record $1.8 billion in public funding for their new home.

Missouri could well put in a late bid to keep one of the teams and stop billions in investment walking over state lines.

Whatever happens, the Royals are determined to put fans first.

“The Royals have a long history of working to make Greater Kansas City a better place,” a team spokesperson said. “As such, we are deeply committed to building a stadium environment that prioritizes the health, safety, and traffic concerns of our neighbors.

“Wherever we build our next generational home, the project will be guided by strong community collaboration.

“We pledge to create an unsurpassed fan and community experience, one that elevates our region and serves as a place of great regional pride for us all.”