Missouri Politician Calls for Chiefs' Eviction from Arrowhead Stadium
A prominent Missouri politician has demanded that the Kansas City Chiefs be immediately evicted from Arrowhead Stadium and forced to play their home games on a high school field. This dramatic call comes as outrage intensifies over the NFL team's recent announcement that they will relocate to a new stadium across the state border in Kansas by 2031.
Planned Move Sparks Political Fury
The Chiefs recently confirmed ambitious plans to depart their iconic Arrowhead Stadium, which has been their home since 1972, and construct a new $3 billion stadium in Olathe, Kansas. The project also includes building a brand-new headquarters and training facility in Wyandotte County. This decision has ignited fury among some fans and Missouri officials, who feel betrayed by the franchise's impending departure.
Missouri House Speaker Pro-Tem Chad Perkins has been particularly vocal, accusing the team of abandoning the state despite being "treated like a little princess." Perkins argues that local officials should not wait until 2031 but should instead kick the Chiefs out of the 76,000-capacity venue immediately.
"Get Out Right Now"
"Arrowhead Stadium is not owned by the Chiefs, it is owned by the Jackson County Sports Authority," Perkins stated in an interview with Missourinet. "If I were the Jackson County Sports Authority, I'd tell him: get out right now. Just get your stuff and get out now. Go play football at a high school field in Overland Park."
Perkins added defiantly, "I don't care. Get out. And you can sue me and we can go to court, and I think a Missouri jury might just agree with me right now, right?" His comments underscore the deep-seated resentment brewing in Missouri political circles following the relocation news.
Chiefs Defend Monumental Economic Benefits
The Chiefs organization has defended its decision, claiming the ambitious relocation project will deliver more than 20,000 jobs to Kansas and generate an estimated economic impact of approximately $4.4 billion. A team statement asserted that "the benefit to the entire region will be monumental," while Kansas Lieutenant Governor David Toland hailed it as "the largest economic win in Kansas history."
However, Missouri officials have revealed that the Chiefs turned down a substantial $1.5 billion offer to remain at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas described the decision as a "setback as a Kansas Citian," highlighting the emotional and economic blow to the Missouri side of the metropolitan area.
Mixed Feelings from Team Legends
Even within the Chiefs organization, there appears to be some ambivalence about leaving Arrowhead. Legendary tight end Travis Kelce recently admitted to having mixed feelings about the move during an episode of his New Heights podcast.
"The owners get so much more opportunity getting to the outskirts of the city, and it’s hard to argue with those opportunities," Kelce acknowledged. "We’re dealing with it right now in Kansas City - I think it’s going to be unbelievable once it’s finally set in stone. But it is going to be kind of heartbreaking knowing that the Chiefs are going to move away from Arrowhead and that Missouri side of Kansas City. It’s just a part of professional sports."
Legislative Retaliation Proposed
In addition to his eviction demands, Perkins has sponsored a legislative bill that could prevent Missouri residents from owning Chiefs-branded license plates in the future. Filed shortly after the Chiefs confirmed their move, the proposal is currently advancing through the state legislature.
The bill would terminate an existing emblem agreement between Missouri and the team, effectively blocking the issuance of any new Chiefs-themed license plates. "If I've given you everything you ask and treated you like a little princess and you leave anyway, then maybe I need to take a different tactic," Perkins explained, noting that license plates are state property.
"But if you're going to leave and go to Kansas, then why are we giving out license plates for a business that's based in Kansas?" Under the proposed legislation, license plates issued before a 2026 cutoff would remain valid until they expire or are voluntarily surrendered.
The Chiefs' planned relocation, while promising significant economic development for Kansas, continues to fuel a bitter political and emotional backlash in Missouri, with figures like Perkins leading the charge for punitive measures against the departing franchise.
