Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt did not mince words when discussing the team’s future after Jackson County voters shot down a sales tax measure for stadium renovations

Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt has hinted at a potential relocation for the team once their lease at Arrowhead Stadium expires after the 2030 NFL season, leaving fans in doubt about the future of the team in Kansas City.

The suggestion comes after voters in Jackson County, where the Chiefs play, rejected a sales tax measure that would have partially funded renovations to Arrowhead. The funds would also have contributed to the construction of a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals, who currently play at Kauffman Stadium, located opposite Arrowhead.

The Chiefs had estimated that the proposed renovations to Arrowhead would cost around $800 million, with the team pledging to contribute $300 million towards this. However, following the vote, almost 60% of voters opposed the sales tax, leading Hunt to suggest that the Chiefs and Royals would need to find an alternative way to finance their respective stadiums.

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Speaking to ESPN, Hunt said: “At this point it makes sense for both of us to work independently. There’s certainly nothing to preclude us coming back and doing something together, but [Royals owner John Sherman] also feels that sense of urgency and I know he’s eager to try to find a long-term solution, which we are as well.”

“Stadium development projects just take a long time and I don’t want to put a specific number on it, but with only six-and-a-half years left on the lease, we’re going to have to work very hard over the next year, year and a half to see if we can find an option.”

Hunt also explained how the team will look at all possible options as it attempts to find a suitable solution to where the Chiefs will play their home games moving forward. The 59-year-old added that time is running out, despite there being six years before the end of the lease.

“We will approach it from a broader perspective going forward because time is short for us at this point and so we need to see what other options are out there for us,” the Chiefs chairman said.

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“When we started on this process three years ago, it felt like we had a very long time, a long runway with about nine-and-a-half [years] left on our lease. We’re now down to six-and-a-half and so I do feel very much of a sense of urgency.

“Arrowhead is a special place for our family and our fan base. That was one of the reasons that we focused on it with the last effort, but going forward it may make more sense for us to be in a new stadium.’

Chiefs president Mark Donovan has been vocal about the possibility of the team’s relocation, especially in light of a sales tax issue. He explained to KSHB 41 that if voters had chosen to extend a 3/8 cent sales tax until 2064, it would have significantly helped the Chiefs remain in Kansas City.

“I just know for us the Chiefs, we would just have to look at all our options,” Donovan said. “I think they would have to include leaving Kansas City. But our goal here is, we want to stay here.

And we’re willing to accept a deal for the county to actually stay here. “After it became apparent that voters were not going to fund new stadiums, Donovan expressed his disappointment in early April.

“We’re disappointed,” he stated. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We were ready to extend the longstanding partnership that the teams have enjoyed with this county. This is important.

“We will do and look to do what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward. “