Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet prior to an AFC divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

‘Shot In The Gut’: Kansas City Chiefs Stadium Request Causes ‘Frustration’ For Missouri Officials

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 4:39 PM ET

With no plan agreed on by the end of June, it appeared like the Kansas City Chiefs were deciding to stay at Arrowhead Stadium for the long term, giving up the dream of playing in a dome in Kansas.

However, last week, Chiefs’ President Mark Donovan submitted an extension request to Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, claiming that the team had made progress on plans for the stadium project.

The Kansas City Chiefs sent a request to Missouri

Per Kacen Bayless of the Kansas City Star, Kansas lawmakers are set to meet on Monday to decide on extending the program, which could pay for up to 70% of the dome stadium. The Chiefs request caught Missouri officials by surprise.

“Missouri officials have expressed shock and frustration after the Kansas City Chiefs asked Kansas lawmakers to extend that state’s stadium-funding incentives program past its June 30 deadline,” Bayless wrote. “The letter and news of the likely extension appeared to catch several Missouri lawmakers off guard.

“Missouri legislators, who recently approved their own incentives plan for the Chiefs, were largely under the impression that the Kansas plan would not be extended.”

A “shot in the gut”

Chiefs president Mark Donovan (left) speaks with general manager John Dorsey before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri officials appear nervous about the Chiefs’ request. Missouri representative Chris Brown, (Republican from Kansas City) called Donovan’s request to Kansas a “shot in the gut” for Missouri.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Brown said. “I thought the Chiefs were fairly secure staying right where they’re at.”

Missouri lawmakers are learning that there’s no loyalty with the Chiefs as long as there is money to be made. Taxpayers in both states are caught in the crosshairs.

Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet against then Denver Broncos prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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