Sports complex authority approves deal with Chiefs, Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Jackson County Sports Complex Authority has approved deals to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas City until 2029, but it requires voters to approve a sales tax to renovate Truman Sports Complex.

The agreements, which were approved unanimously Thursday by the sports authority, would commit a maximum of $354 million in public funding for improvements to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. As part of the deals, Kansas City area voters from both Kansas and Missouri must approve a 1/4-cent sales tax for 25 years, with half the revenue going to stadium improvements.

In exchange, the Chiefs and the Royals would commit to spend at least $65 million for improvements and would agree to extend their leases at the sports complex from 2015 to 2029.

Jack Holland, financial adviser to the county and the sports authority, said the deals depend on a bistate tax being passed before Dec. 31, 2004. If that does not happen, new deals would have to be worked out, he said.

Under legislation in Missouri and Kansas, the governments of five counties -- Jackson, Clay and Platte in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas -- can put bistate tax plans before voters. A bistate tax must win a majority of votes in Jackson and Johnson counties to pass. The tax will be levied only in counties where voters approve it.

The Jackson County Legislature already has approved the deal, which also must be approved by the National Football League and Major League Baseball.

"This is another step along a very long road to making sure both teams stay in Kansas City for some time to come," said Ken Evans, spokesman for Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields.

Planned improvements at Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums include wider concourses, more rest rooms, concessions and more luxury suites. They are intended to bring the stadiums more in line with newer ones being built in other cities.