Chiefs’ Future Heads to Kansas as the Hunt Family Legacy Grows
The Kansas City Chiefs are turning the page on a historic chapter - and writing a new one just across the state line. In a move that will reshape the franchise’s future, the Chiefs announced on December 22 that they’re planning to relocate to Kansas by 2031. It’s a seismic shift, but one that stays rooted in the legacy of one of the most influential families in American sports: the Hunts.
In an open letter to Chiefs Kingdom, CEO and chairman Clark Hunt reflected on the foundation laid by his late father, Lamar Hunt Sr., the man who not only brought professional football to Kansas City but helped shape the modern NFL as we know it.
“Dad consistently looked to the future and propelled the game forward for nearly half a century,” Clark Hunt wrote. “Every step of the way, he prioritized the fans. And every step of the way, he thought about the next generation.”
That next generation is now preparing to take the Chiefs into a new era - one that will see the team establish roots in Kansas while carrying the same pride, passion, and purpose that’s defined the franchise for over 70 years.
The Hunt Family: Architects of a Football Empire
To understand where the Chiefs are headed, it helps to know where they came from - and that story starts with Lamar Hunt Sr. He didn’t just found the Chiefs; he founded the American Football League in 1959, a bold move that forced the NFL to evolve. That league would eventually merge with the NFL in 1966, forever changing the landscape of professional football.
Originally launched as the Dallas Texans in 1960, the team relocated to Kansas City in 1963 and became the Chiefs - a name now synonymous with tradition, toughness, and titles. Hunt Sr. was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972, and his legacy is literally etched into the game: the AFC Championship trophy bears his name.
And yes, the term “Super Bowl”? That was Lamar Hunt Sr.’s doing too.
Inspired by his kids playing with a Wham-O “Super Ball,” he casually coined the term - and it stuck. Football’s biggest stage owes its name to a father watching his children play.
Today, the Chiefs are co-owned by Hunt Sr.’s four children: Lamar Hunt Jr., Sharron Hunt, Clark Hunt, and Daniel Hunt. Each sibling holds a 25% stake in the franchise. While Clark serves as the public face of the team, the family’s influence stretches far beyond Arrowhead - or soon, Kansas.
A Billion-Dollar Dynasty
The Hunt family sits among the financial elite in America. According to Forbes, their collective net worth clocks in at $24.8 billion, with each sibling individually valued at $1.6 billion. The Chiefs themselves are worth over $4.7 billion - a testament to both the team’s on-field success and the business acumen behind the scenes.
But the family’s fortune didn’t start with football. It began with H.L.
Hunt, an oil wildcatter who founded Hunt Oil Company in 1934. His entrepreneurial spirit laid the groundwork for a multi-generational empire.
His daughter, Caroline Hunt, later founded Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which she sold in 2011. Lamar Hunt Sr. was one of H.L.’s 15 children - and arguably the one who left the biggest mark on American sports.
Today, the Hunt family’s sports portfolio extends beyond the NFL. They own Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas and hold a minority stake in the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. But the Chiefs are their crown jewel - and the heartbeat of their legacy.
A Decade of Dominance
Under the Hunt family’s stewardship, the Chiefs have become one of the NFL’s premier franchises. The last decade has been nothing short of dynastic. With Patrick Mahomes under center and Andy Reid calling the shots, Kansas City has not only captured back-to-back Super Bowl titles but also redefined what sustained excellence looks like in the modern NFL.
They’ve owned the AFC West, hosted the AFC Championship Game year after year, and built a culture that players want to be part of. The Chiefs aren’t just winning - they’re setting the standard.
And it’s not just about trophies. The Hunt family has helped elevate Kansas City on the national stage.
In 2023, they were instrumental in bringing the NFL Draft to town - a massive event that drew over 312,000 fans across three days. It was a statement: Kansas City isn’t a “small market” anymore.
It’s a football capital.
Giving Back to the Community
The Hunt family’s impact goes well beyond the field. Through the Hunt Family Foundation, they’ve poured millions into Kansas City and surrounding communities. In 2024 alone, the foundation reported over $3.7 million in charitable disbursements, according to ProPublica.
That same year, in the wake of the tragic shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration rally, the Chiefs, the NFL, and the Hunt Family Foundation came together to donate $200,000 to the #KCStrong Fund - a gesture that reflected their deep ties to the city and its people.
What’s Next?
The move to Kansas by 2031 marks a new chapter for the franchise - one that promises state-of-the-art facilities and fresh opportunities, while still honoring everything that’s come before. The Hunt family’s legacy isn’t just in championships or billion-dollar valuations. It’s in the way they’ve built something enduring, something that stretches across generations, across state lines, and across the hearts of millions of fans.
As the Chiefs prepare to plant their flag in Kansas, one thing is clear: the Hunt family isn’t just steering the franchise forward - they’re continuing a legacy that changed the game.