Missouri senators introduce bills to create Clay County sports authority aimed at keeping Chiefs, Royals in state

Senators on March 31 presented bills to create a sports authority in Clay County intended to help keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Missouri.

Senator Maggie Nirenburn of Kansas City sponsored Senate Bill 710, a measure described as modifying provisions relating to sports complex authorities and establishing a sports authority in Clay County with a structure modeled after the authority in Jackson County. Senator Curtis Gregory of Marshall sponsored a similar proposal under Senate Bill 713.

Both bills were presented to the Missouri Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee on March 31. Committee members had not completed action on either measure; both bills await the panel—s decision before either could be considered by the full Missouri Senate. Missouri senators are in the final six weeks of the 2025 regular legislative session, which ends May 16, 2025.

The presentations and accompanying discussion framed the proposals as part of a recurring conversation among lawmakers about what steps the state can take to keep two of Missouri—s professional sports teams from relocating. Committee testimony and debate details were not recorded in the transcript provided; no committee vote or final action on either bill was reported in the recording.

Reporting from the State Capitol, Dean Morgan.