KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Spring training is around the corner and there are still no answers on where the Kansas City Royals will be playing their games in just a few years.
The club announced about three months ago it would not reveal its site selection at the end of September as originally planned. The Royals narrowed its options to two sites; one in North Kansas City and in East Village near downtown Kansas City.
"It's my job to make sure that we have the best deal in front of taxpayers and that they get the best opportunity to vote yes or no," Jackson County Commissioner Manny Abarca said.
As Jackson County stadium committee chair, Abarca hosted a town hall on Tuesday night to talk about the Royals and Chiefs' future in Jackson County.
Both teams' leases at the Truman Sports Complex are set to expire in 2031.
"Both teams have expressed that they want in on the April ballot of 2024," Abarca said. "For us to do that, we'd have to approve and authorize ballot language by January 23 of 2024. "It's important to remember this is a renewal, this is a tax that's already in place, it's a sales tax."
Dianne Siegel came to Tuesday night's meeting with questions and concerns.
“My biggest question is if they’re going to be on the ballot in time, and that’s still my biggest question,” Siegel said.
Siegel also said she's worried the teams could be on the move if things don't work out on the Missouri side of the metro.
“I’m very concerned about the Royals and the Chiefs leaving Jackson County and the state," she said.
Mark Morales, who also attended Tuesday's town hall, shares those concerns.
“It was kind of eye-opening that there was that potential they could leave," Morales said. "I was just thinking about the Royals, they’re a tradition, they need to stay here. Same with the Chiefs too. We need them both here.”
Abarca says the county continues to actively negotiate with the Kansas City Royals, but is concerned the team could move to Kansas or another city.
"That's the worst thing that could happen to us here in Jackson County," Abarca said. "County residents will get to vote on the final deal on whether or not they support a sales tax. The legislature will vote to put it on the ballot to approve a lease and term rights."
Tommy Wilson came to Tuesday's meeting ready for answers.
“I think we’re ready to see what the Chiefs want to do," Wilson said. "The Royals have made it clear what they want to do. I’d love to see what the Chiefs want to do.”
Jackson County is competing with Clay County, which stressed it's also in contact with the Royals and is having weekly meetings to draw the team north of the river.
"I can't really comment too much specifically because it's behind closed doors and unfortunately that's a requirement when you're trying to put together this kind of an arrangement, but I think they are positive and I look forward to some kind of a result coming soon. The clock is ticking," Clay County Commissioner Jerry Nolte said.
KSHB 41 News reached out to the Kansas City Royals for comment. The club said it can't comment on pending negotiations and stressed it was not affiliated with Abarca's town hall.
