Patrick Mahomes has been crowned the football king of Kansas City for over a decade, and he has ruled accordingly. MVPs, Super Bowls, sold-out Arrowhead crowds. The city bought into him, and he bought into the city. “You come to Kansas City…They care about the person you are and how you treat other people. It’s cool to be in a city like this.” But lately, that royal relationship has been hanging by a thread, not because of performance, but politics. When Jackson County voters rejected a stadium sales tax extension in April 2024, they didn’t just push pause on a funding proposal. They cracked open the door for Kansas to swoop in with a billion-dollar relocation offer. STAR Bonds. No tax hikes. No public vote.

Just the shimmering prospect of a new house across state lines. Missouri hurried to answer. However, in a typical government manner, the bill passed the House but failed to pass the Senate. No vote. No strategy. Just gridlock. Now that the 2025 Missouri Legislative Session is officially over and Kansas is circling, the state’s only remaining hope is a frantic special session.

Missouri’s top brass isn’t prepared to give up their hometown heroes just yet, especially when Kansas is luring the Chiefs in with lavish incentives. The announcement made by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe on Friday may be the long-awaited Hail Mary for Kansas City supporters. Kehoe, during a press conference, hinted at a special legislative session in the upcoming weeks to discuss the Chiefs and Royals’ stadium financial situation. “This is a critical piece of economic development that I’d like to see us solidify our offer with legislative approval,” Kehoe said. The action was taken after a last-ditch attempt to enact a state funding package failed to receive a Senate vote before the session concluded.

Kehoe stated that although talks with both parties had been ongoing for three months, a special session was probably always required. He declared, “We will definitely be looking for a way to get that before the general assembly.” But Missouri isn’t acting in a vacuum. Kansas has issued a July 1 deadline for its own offer, backed by STAR Bonds, liquor tax money, and the promise of 70% coverage on stadium costs, with no public vote required.

The race is officially on, and Missouri’s delay may prove costly. Ashley Aune, the minority leader of the Missouri House, criticised Kehoe for the last-minute rush but eventually supported the plan. “A special session will allow the legislature to thoroughly vet the governor’s proposal, gather public input and ensure the interests of Missouri taxpayers are protected – steps the governor previously tried to skip,” stated Aune. “Keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri is vital to Kansas City’s culture and economy, but committing public resources to that purpose can’t be done by cutting corners.” But time is running out. The Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, and the sports culture of Kansas City are all hanging in the balance.

Loyalty vs Legislation—Patrick Mahomes’ kingdom faces a crisis

However, days prior to Kehoe’s revelation, Missouri’s strategy began to fall apart when one of their own, Senator Joe Nicola, put a wrench into the funding idea. From Jackson County. In Chiefs territory. “I don’t want the Chiefs to leave. I want them to stay right where they’re at,” Nicola stated. “But our people are hurting in Jackson County. Until we get some property tax relief, I’m a no.” It was more than just a political stance. For Patrick Mahomes, who has invested his heart and money in Kansas City, it was a gut punch. Royals ownership. Local businesses. His family. All planted in Missouri soil.

Right now? It’s possible that those roots will be uprooted. The Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which ultimately failed, was Missouri’s first serious attempt to match Kansas’ billion-dollar plan. Rep. Chris Brown wrote the plan, which would have returned to the teams a maximum of 50% of stadium-related state tax revenue over a 30-year period.

Although the House approved it, it was doomed by Senate deadlock and political squabbling over tax breaks, stadium money, and abortion amendments. Years ago, Patrick Mahomes, who has always been a devoted Chief, stated unequivocally, “I’m going to be in Kansas City for a long, long time.” But ‘Kansas City’ may soon mean something very different, with a Kansas ZIP code. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s plan doesn’t need a sales tax vote. Doesn’t need to wait. It’s shovel-ready.

And Missouri? All it has is a special session and the hope that it’s not already too late. For a city that built a dynasty around Patrick Mahomes, losing him over politics would be the most unthinkable fumble of all.