Chiefs’ Kansas Move Gains Momentum as Lawmakers Dive Into Stadium Deal Details
TOPEKA, Kan. -
The Kansas City Chiefs’ potential relocation to the Sunflower State took another step forward this week, as team representatives met with Kansas lawmakers to provide an update on the stadium development plan and the financing structure that could help make it all happen.
Leading the charge was Korb Maxwell, an attorney representing the Chiefs, who addressed both the House Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development and the Senate Commerce Committee. Maxwell painted a confident picture of the deal’s financial structure, calling it a “historic win” for Kansas taxpayers - and emphasizing that the move would not require a tax increase.
The key piece of the financial puzzle is a STAR (Sales Tax and Revenue) bonds package that’s been authorized for a 30-year term. But according to Maxwell, the team believes the bonds could be paid off far sooner thanks to the economic development expected to spring up around the new stadium in Wyandotte County and the team’s planned headquarters in Olathe.
“We’re talking about more like paying these bonds off in 20 years or below,” Maxwell told lawmakers. “It could be under 15 years based on that, and then all of the revenue starts flowing back to the state.”
That’s a bold projection - and one that state officials are approaching with cautious optimism. Rachel Willis, Legislative Director for the Kansas Department of Commerce, told the committee that while the department isn’t ready to commit to a timeline until the final development map is in place, they are confident the bonds will be paid off within the 30-year window.
Mapping the District: Big Questions, Bigger Implications
A central issue in the discussion is the size and scope of the STAR bond district itself - the area where incremental tax revenue will be captured to pay down the bonds. A preliminary map released in December proposed a district encompassing all of Wyandotte County and a sizable portion of Johnson County.
That’s raised eyebrows and questions, especially from lawmakers concerned about the long-term impact on state revenue. Maxwell acknowledged the complexity of finalizing the district’s boundaries, noting that the Chiefs and the Department of Commerce are still working through the details. The final shape of the district will hinge in part on the team’s final site selection, which is still in progress.
Rep. Sean Tarwater (R-Stilwell) supports the deal but stressed that the district can’t include areas already covered by existing STAR bond districts, as those revenues are already committed elsewhere. “As this deal works through and they have a for sure location, then we’ll be able to better define the district from a state standpoint,” he said.
Not everyone is convinced the deal is a slam dunk for taxpayers. Rep. Rui Xu (D-Westwood) voiced concerns about the proposed size of the district and its potential to tie up future tax revenue from some of the state’s fastest-growing areas.
“These districts are already pretty quickly growing, even without these projects in there,” Xu said. “We just won’t be able to collect any of that new growth from base tax year forward.”
Local Contributions and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs)
Beyond STAR bonds, the Chiefs and the Department of Commerce are in talks with local governments - specifically the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and the city of Olathe - to chip in their own incremental sales tax revenues to help pay down the bonds. Those negotiations are ongoing, with a 60-day window that started when the deal was announced on December 22, 2025. That gives the parties roughly one more month to finalize local agreements.
While Commerce officials declined to share details of those talks, Willis said the conversations have been productive.
Another funding mechanism on the table is the creation of a Community Improvement District (CID), which would allow for an additional sales tax on purchases made within a designated area. That’s raised concerns among lawmakers like Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, who doesn’t want everyday necessities like groceries and gas to carry an extra tax burden.
Tarwater echoed that sentiment, saying he wants the CID limited to the stadium itself - a “destination tax” that targets fans and visitors rather than local residents.
Maxwell confirmed that any CID would be confined to the new developments in Wyandotte County and Olathe, with revenues going directly toward paying down the STAR bonds. However, he noted one wrinkle: the NFL prohibits adding taxes to tickets, which means the CID would have to focus on retail and other sales around the stadium.
Development Buzz and NFL Appeal
Maxwell also revealed that the Chiefs have already seen a surge of interest from potential developers looking to partner on projects near the proposed stadium and headquarters sites. That’s not surprising - NFL franchises tend to attract high-end commercial development, and the Chiefs’ recent success has only amplified their brand power.
“The NFL gets very unique entertainment opportunities that want to associate with the NFL and want to associate with the Kansas City Chiefs,” Maxwell said. “Our phones have been ringing off the hook since the Chiefs announced on December 22nd.”
That kind of momentum could help accelerate the surrounding development, which in turn could speed up the bond repayment process - a key selling point for lawmakers looking to minimize long-term financial exposure.
Transparency Concerns
During the committee meeting, Rep. Tarwater also brought up a report that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County had denied a public records request for emails related to the stadium deal until July 1, 2029. While that issue wasn’t addressed in detail during the session, it adds another layer to the conversation around transparency and public accountability as the project moves forward.
What’s Next?
With negotiations ongoing and the final site still to be confirmed, there are plenty of moving parts left in this high-stakes play. But one thing is clear: Kansas is making an aggressive push to bring the Chiefs across state lines, and lawmakers are digging into the details to ensure the deal delivers long-term value.
For fans in the region, the idea of a new stadium and team headquarters in Kansas is no longer just a rumor - it’s a real possibility, backed by a complex but potentially powerful financial framework. And as the pieces continue to fall into place, the next few months could be pivotal in shaping the future of the Chiefs - and the Kansas sports landscape.