Stadium Game Is Back On In Kansas City, on both sides of river

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