Royals' new stadium measure turned down by voters

Jackson County voters on Tuesday rejected a stadium sales tax extension that would help fund a new Royals downtown ballpark and surrounding district and renovations at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.

Voters weighed in on a ballot question authorizing a 3/8th-cent sales tax throughout the county for the next 40 years to help pay for the construction of a new Royals stadium in the East Crossroads District and renovations for the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

The “no” votes on Question 1 prevailed with 58% of the vote (78,352 votes), compared to 42% “yes” votes (56,606).

Tuesday’s results followed months of intense campaigning and years of planning as momentum for a downtown ballpark gained momentum when Royals CEO/chairman John Sherman took over majority ownership of the Royals in 2019.

The teams’ leases at the Truman Sports Complex -- where Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium currently reside -- do not expire until 2031, so they will keep playing there for the next several years. The Royals had hoped to open their new downtown ballpark by Opening Day 2028.

“We won a baseball game tonight, but we didn’t win this,” Sherman said at a concession speech in Kansas City, referencing the Royals’ 4-1 win over the Orioles in Baltimore on Tuesday night. “We respect the democratic process, we respect the voters of Jackson County and the results of the election today. We’re deeply disappointed, as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is far better off with the Chiefs and the Royals.

"This is a belief I hold both professionally and personally as someone whose roots run deep in this town, as someone who’s been a dedicated fan, a season ticket holder -- for both of these teams -- and now leading a remarkable ownership group assembled for its ties to Kansas City.

“We thank all those who worked on this election for their time and commitment. They are here in this room and well beyond. They know who they are. We will take some time to reflect on and process the outcome and find a path forward that works for our Royals and our fans.”

It’s unclear what comes next for these teams, as both repeatedly said that a renewal of the 3/8-cent sales tax is crucial for them to stay in Jackson County. Their campaign leaned heavily into that messaging, saying that a “yes” vote on Question 1 would “keep the Royals and Chiefs in Jackson County.”

The teams have said they’ll explore all options for when the leases expire if the vote fails. That could include a move to the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area. It’s possible the teams could bring another tax to a future ballot, but Sherman and Chiefs chairman/CEO Clark Hunt wrote in a joint letter to voters Monday that “there is no redo of this campaign.”

“This is not going back on the ballot in November. There is no plan B,” the letter concluded.

The Royals began publicly talking about their desire to move downtown in 2021. Sherman formally proposed a new downtown ballpark and surrounding district with an estimated $2 billion price tag in ‘22. They began a listening tour around Jackson County at the end of ‘22 and early ‘23.

Earlier this year, after a long battle with the Jackson County Legislature, the Royals and Chiefs got the stadium vote on the April ballot despite a veto from County Executive Frank White, the former second baseman and Royals Hall of Famer.

In February, the Royals released renderings of their proposed site in the Crossroads District, and opponents of the site were concerned about the displacement of local businesses in the footprint of the stadium and district. Last week, the Royals altered the design to keep Oak Street open following several conversations with Mayor Quinton Lucas, who endorsed the stadium tax and teams’ plans this past weekend. The two teams agreed to a new lease with the Jackson County Sports Authority, pending the vote, and a Community Benefits Agreement just weeks before Tuesday’s vote.

“The people of Kansas City and Jackson County love the Chiefs and the Royals,” Lucas said in a statement. “Today, they rejected plans and processes they found inadequate. Over the months ahead, I look forward to working with the Chiefs and Royals to build a stronger, more open, and collaborative process that will ensure the teams, their events and investments remain in Kansas City for generations to come.”