The Kansas City Chiefs may actually leave their iconic home.
Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri has hosted the NFL‘s most recent dynasty since 1972.
The Chiefs play at one of the most iconic stadiums in sportsGETTYThe loudest outdoor arena in sports history has played a huge role in that success, with head coach Andy Reid believing that it gives them an edge in home games.
Missouri lawmakers have voted to pass a funding package to pay for half of a $1.1 billion upgrade and keep the Chiefs.
But Kansas is working on an alternative proposal to fund a domed stadium worth around $3 billion across state lines.
A June 30 deadline is fast approaching but Kansas City bosses have requested an extension — the clearest sign yet that a move is a very real possibility.
The Associated Press reported that Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the extension in a letter to Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson.
He claimed that “significant progress” has been made on plans for the stadium but needed more time to “bring the effort to full fruition.”
“Together,” he added. “We have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.”
The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet on July 7, where an extension will be discussed.
“The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,” Masterson said in a statement. “Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.”
Patrick Mahomes and star tight end Travis Kelce have made it abundantly clear that they would prefer the franchise to stay put.
A renovation could keep the team in MissouriKansas City ChiefsView Tweet: twitter.com/fox4kc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Arrowhead is home for me,” Kelce commented. “It’s a part of my heart, playing in that stadium.
“But the fans want what the fans want. We play for them. I think it’s up to them.”
Arrowhead broke the record for loudest outdoor stadium in sports with an ear-shattering 142.2 decibels registered by Guinness World Records in 2014.
But an arena with a roof would potentially open the door to Kansas City hosting a Super Bowl in future.
MLB‘s Kansas City Royals are also facing an uncertain future, since their stadium — which opened its doors in 1973 — sits next door to Arrowhead.
“What I think is, how it’s gonna play out — through all the twists and turns — I think the Chiefs are going to end up over on the Kansas side of the state line,” Blair Kerkhoff, a Kansas City Star sports writer who covers the Chiefs, exclusively told talkSPORT.
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“I think the Royals will find a way to work something out with Jackson County in the city of Kansas City to be in downtown Kansas City.
“Baseball would stay in Missouri. The football (NFL) moves to Kansas.”
Ahead of Mahomes’ Arrowhead debut against the San Francisco 49ers in September 2018, Reid was asked how he would help his quarterback navigate the huge game.
Reid praised the youngster, who was already showing signs of his MVP talents, before insisting it was the job of the whole team to make his job easier — something that would not be a problem on home turf.
“We love playing in Arrowhead. You know how that goes. Our players get fired up,” he said. “When you come out of that tunnel and its red and its loud, it’s a beautiful thing.
“And I know the people in Kansas City love getting in there and doing that. We look forward to it, it’s a great experience, it’s what makes the NFL great.”
Mahomes threw for 314 yards and three touchdown passes, including a trademark scrambling dart to Chris Conley, in a 38-27 win.
“That,” Reid smiled, “was a good one.”
The coronavirus pandemic forced the Chiefs to play at a reduced capacity in 2020 and when they returned, Reid once again waxed lyrical about the crowd.
“Yeah, well, listen, this is one of the all-time good venues in the National Football League, so we’ve got great fans, and they are loud, man,” he said. “I mean they get after it and they are like a 12th man, and we appreciate that, every minute of it.”
The Chiefs’ lease runs out in 2031 and could break ground this year if they decide to up sticks.
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