A Familiar Stadium Question Resurfaces in Kansas City

A new year has arrived, but the same unresolved issue continues to hover over the owner of the Kansas City Royals. John Sherman still must decide where the franchise will call home in the future. The options remain split across state lines, with potential stadium sites in Kansas or somewhere in Missouri, including Kansas City proper or North Kansas City. As of now, no clear path has emerged, and Sherman may be forced to reset discussions on the Kansas side after a key funding mechanism expired at the end of 2025.

The lapse of that plan does not eliminate Kansas from contention. It simply means state lawmakers would need to revisit the issue and approve a new financing structure. Stadium negotiations rarely move in straight lines, and this one appears no different.

Missouri Pushes to Keep the Royals

Political leaders in Missouri, particularly in Kansas City, continue to press for keeping the Royals within state borders. Mayor Quinton Lucas has publicly identified a potential downtown location near Washington Square Park. He believes the site offers several advantages, including minimal disruption to existing businesses and proximity to tourism and entertainment districts. The area also benefits from substantial nearby parking, which remains a critical factor in any stadium discussion.

Identifying a site, however, is only part of the challenge. Financing remains the central issue. Lucas has emphasized that any proposal must balance ambition with fiscal responsibility. City leaders want to avoid a plan that places unexpected burdens on taxpayers or diverts resources away from essential public services. While the mayor has indicated that several financing concepts have already been explored, no final proposal has been approved.

Options Explored, Answers Still Missing

Sherman has reportedly examined other locations as well, including North Kansas City and Overland Park, Kansas. Those conversations have yet to produce a concrete agreement or a clear funding roadmap. With each potential site comes a new set of political, financial, and logistical hurdles.

For now, the Royals remain in stadium limbo, caught between competing jurisdictions and unfinished plans. As Kansas and Missouri continue to jockey for position, the long-running stadium debate shows no signs of slowing. For Sherman and the region’s political leaders, the game is still in progress, and the next inning has yet to be played.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca Story Ends

Chelsea Football Club has confirmed it has parted company with head coach Enzo Maresca, bringing an end to his tenure at Stamford Bridge. The club announced the decision in a statement, citing a mutual belief that a change in leadership gives the team the best opportunity to get the season back on track.

During his time in charge, Maresca guided Chelsea to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. The club acknowledged those achievements as an important part of its recent history and thanked the Italian coach for his contributions. Chelsea also wished Maresca well in his future endeavors.

Despite remaining alive in four competitions, including the race for Champions League qualification, the club and Maresca agreed that a new direction was needed. Chelsea’s FA Cup campaign begins next week, and the club is also preparing for a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, underscoring the importance of stability during a critical stretch of the season.

Roberto De Zerbi Emerges as a Leading Candidate

Attention now turns to who will succeed Maresca. Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as one of the leading names linked to the role. According to a BBC report, the Italian coach is admired by Chelsea’s decision-makers, who met with him during the summer.

De Zerbi is currently managing Marseille, where he has continued to build a reputation for progressive, high-intensity football. He previously led Brighton to European qualification during his time in the Premier League, earning praise for an attacking and demanding style of play. However, De Zerbi is also known for being outspoken when he disagrees with club leadership, a trait that could pose challenges within Chelsea’s hierarchy. Still, some within the club view that risk as worthwhile given his tactical pedigree and experience.

Liam Rosenior Also Under Consideration

Liam Rosenior is another strong contender and is viewed by some as an early favorite. Rosenior is currently head coach of RC Strasbourg, a club owned by BlueCo, the same ownership group that controls Chelsea through Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Rosenior reportedly impressed key figures in west London after guiding Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in the 2024–25 season, earning qualification for the Conference League. Strasbourg currently sit seventh in Ligue 1, and his work with a young squad has drawn internal admiration from Chelsea’s ownership group.

Other Names in the Frame

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has also been mentioned as a possible option. Iraola’s high-pressing, energetic style differs significantly from Maresca’s approach, but some believe it could suit Chelsea’s young and athletic squad over the long term. His tactical demands require depth, intensity, and commitment, qualities Chelsea’s roster appears built to provide.

Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner has also been discussed as part of the broader conversation, though no formal indication has been made regarding the club’s level of interest.

Chelsea Look Ahead

Whoever takes over will inherit a squad still competing on multiple fronts and positioned to make a strong push in the second half of the season. With domestic cup matches looming and league objectives still within reach, Chelsea’s next managerial appointment will be critical in shaping the club’s immediate future.

The NFL dangled a Super Bowl before voters

NFL Played Key Role in Arizona Recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The National Football League played a pivotal role in the establishment of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Arizona. Without the league’s influence, it is possible the state might have delayed recognizing the holiday for years. In 1990, the NFL promised to bring a Super Bowl to the Phoenix area in exchange for a voter-approved King holiday, signaling the league’s unique political leverage and willingness to use its events to shape public policy.

The saga began after President Ronald Reagan signed the federal holiday into law in 1983. By 1986, Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt supported recognition, but a year later, new Governor Evan Mecham refused to honor the holiday. Meanwhile, Bill Bidwill’s Cardinals franchise had moved from St. Louis to Tempe in 1988, further tying professional football to the state’s political landscape.

Legislative Hurdles and Voter Opposition

In 1989, the Arizona legislature passed legislation creating the holiday. However, opponents gathered enough signatures to force a statewide referendum in November 1990. At the time, the NFL had already awarded Super Bowl XXVII to Tempe, signaling confidence that Arizona would honor the civil rights leader. When voters rejected the holiday, the NFL shifted the game to Pasadena, California, demonstrating that its influence could not be ignored.

NFL owners and the Players Association applied pressure, making it clear that future Super Bowls in the Phoenix area depended on state compliance. The league’s leverage was undeniable: its marquee event, with enormous economic and media impact, became a political bargaining chip.

Voter Approval and the Return of the Super Bowl

The situation reached a turning point in 1992, when Arizona voters passed a referendum officially recognizing Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This decision cleared the path for the NFL to schedule Super Bowl XXX in Tempe in 1993, cementing the league’s critical role in Arizona’s eventual recognition of the holiday.

The episode highlights the NFL’s political clout and its ability to influence state-level decisions through strategic use of its events. The league’s involvement went beyond sports, shaping social policy and civil rights recognition in one of America’s largest states.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com