The Kansas City Chiefs are grappling with more than just football issues this season. After many mediocre showings on the field, injuries, and a quarterback crisis, they face yet another major shift. The franchise is gearing up to leave its longtime home at Arrowhead Stadium. But owner Clark Hunt has revealed that the move from Missouri to Kansas City wasn’t their original plan. There’s a solid reason that triggered their move.

“Well, we knew that we had to do something in terms of either renovating Arrowhead or building a new stadium because our lease is up in five years,” he said via 96.5 The Fan’s post on X. “So we just had hit that sort of natural timeline. And really the lead time you need to design and build a stadium is five years. So we were really up against the wall in terms of needing to make a decision.”

In an exclusive interview with radio host Bob Fescoe, Clark Hunt revealed why they decided to relocate and build a new stadium. With the clock ticking on their lease, delaying the choice wasn’t possible. Further, the pressure only shot up when the billionaire toured other NFL stadium projects. Hunt earlier checked out the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium and then later visited the Tennessee Titans’ upcoming facility, which will feature a dome. But that’s not all. 

“And as you alluded to, there are plans in Denver and in Chicago and in Washington to build new stadiums,” he added. “And I think all those are going to be domes as well.”

So, the Chiefs obviously wouldn’t risk falling behind the rest of the league. Meanwhile, their move comes after Kansas City lawmakers offered to support the development of the team’s new home. 

Kansas state steps in with financial support for Clark Hunt’s team

Clark Hunt’s team has secured a massive deal that includes more than a billion dollars in public funding. The $3.3 billion plan involves building a domed stadium along with an entertainment district, headquarters, and a training facility. However, the stadium will require only around $3 billion, according to the Kansas Reflector. The state of Kansas would cover its portion by issuing STAR bonds. So, what’s the final structure of the deal? 

“So it’s a public private partnership, like most stadium deals are,” he explained. “And the state of Kansas will be paying for 60%. And our family will be paying for 40%.”

It means the Chiefs stand to receive nearly $1.8 billion for the stadium, making the move both strategic and unavoidable. According to the CEO, the upcoming practice and training facility in Olathe will require $300 million. Meanwhile, the development of a mixed-use district could cost $700 million across Wyandotte County and Olathe. 

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The Chiefs are looking forward to the mixed-use districts around both the stadium and practice facility. The space will go beyond the sport, offering entertainment, dining, and year-round activity. In Hunt’s view, this development is essential as modern sports teams need more than just a stadium to stay competitive. He highlighted that flourishing areas around the stadium have become a major trend across professional sports.

It helps franchises financially and improves the overall fan experience. Clark Hunt believes these surrounding projects will make game days more exciting and keep his team on pace with the rest of the NFL.