Chiefs owner speaks out against neutral-site conference championship games

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is against the NFL shifting to neutral-site AFC and NFC Championship Games at any point in the near future. 

"It was actually something that my dad mentioned a couple of times to the league — he thought that might be good," Hunt said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio about neutral-site conference title contests, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "But having experienced it now for five years in a row, getting to host that game is such a special reward for the regular season and a way to reward your fans who have been so loyal throughout the year. So, I’m definitely a fan of keeping it at home with the highest seed."

The medical emergency involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin created a situation where this year's AFC Championship Game could've occurred at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. Such a move became unnecessary after the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs, and the Chiefs ultimately defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the conference title clash held at Kansas City's GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Hunt isn't alone among his peers. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said last month he hates the idea of holding conference championship games at neutral venues. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have now hosted five consecutive AFC title games, which may explain why Clark Hunt has a different opinion on this subject than his famous father, Lamar Hunt. 

Per Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic, Lamar Hunt believed holding such matchups at neutral stadiums would make for "bigger" events for fans and the league.  

Changes could be coming to NFL championship weekends regardless of where such games take place. It's thought the NFL could propose a Sunday-Monday format for conference championships as soon as this offseason.