Key politicians in Kansas and Clay County say they’re done working with the Royals on a new stadium deal, taking at least two potential sites out of the mix.
Why it matters: The Royals’ options are dwindling, upping the pressure to build downtown and fueling speculation that the team might leave KC.
Driving the news: Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) said Wednesday that the Royals asked for “wiggle room” after the Dec. 31 funding incentive deadline, KMBC reported. “We’re moving on,” Hawkins replied.
- “I loathe the business of baseball,” Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday on X. “Like Kansas, I’m done negotiating with the Royals.”
- The deadline to place stadium funding on Clay County’s April 2026 ballot passed Thursday.
The Royals declined to comment. Spokesperson Sam Mellinger tells Axios that conversations are ongoing and that the Royals want the “best solution for the team, fans, and community.”…