The Kansas City Chiefs have said they have been approached by developers over the possibility of developing a new stadium in the state of Kansas, while fellow NFL American football franchise the Cleveland Browns have stated they are also exploring stadium options.
The Chiefs have played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1972. Arrowhead has undergone a number of redevelopment projects during this time, and is still regarded as one of the finest stadia in the NFL.
However, with the franchise’s lease deal set to expire in 2031, the Chiefs are said to be exploring their options. The Ringer stated that Chiefs president Mark Donovan addressed the matter at the NFL owners’ meetings, which took place this week in Palm Beach, Florida.
With regards potential new stadium options, Donovan said the Chiefs have been pitched by developers in Kansas. The news drew an immediate reaction from Kansas City Mayor, Quinton Lucas.
He said on Twitter: “Kansas City has proudly hosted the Chiefs since the early 1960s. We look forward to working with the Chiefs, our state of Missouri partners, and local officials to ensure the Chiefs remain home in Kansas City and Missouri for generations to come.”
In September, Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman revealed that the Major League Baseball team is exploring the possibility of building a new downtown ballpark.
The Royals have played at Kauffman Stadium since it opened in 1973 and the team’s current lease at the venue also expires in 2031. Kauffman Stadium forms part of the Truman Sports Complex, which includes GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sherman confirmed that the Royals are considering a move to downtown Kansas City, with the team conducting an internal process to evaluate its options of where to play.
This week’s NFL owners’ meetings have seen a number of stadium news developments. The Browns’ owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, said yesterday (Tuesday) that they are exploring options to upgrade FirstEnergy Stadium or develop a new stadium in Cleveland.
The Haslams said these options will depend on how the city progresses with plans to renovate its lakefront area, the site of FirstEnergy Stadium which opened in September 1999. The Browns in May added their backing to the City of Cleveland’s vision to enhance connectivity between the downtown area and lakefront.
“The city and The (Greater) Cleveland partnership has taken over the waterfront development piece, and we have committees working on that,” Dee Haslam said, according to the Browns’ official website. “Our part now is how we bring the stadium up to a better standard, so I think we’ve started interviewing and thinking about architects and consultants.
“We’re kind of in that very beginning stage and can start having those conversations, and hopefully marry it with the work that the city and partnerships are doing on the waterfront development.”
Image: Kj1595/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size
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