Kansas City’s deal with state alters Chiefs development area, gives mayor a seat on sports authority
Nov 09, 2026 | 4:00 pm ET
Description
A banner on Dec. 22, 2025, outside the Docking State Office Building in Topeka signals the Chiefs are coming to Kansas but details of how the state will pay for the stadium development are still being considered. On Nov. 5, 2026, the Unified Government of Wyandotte and Kansas City agreed to a deal that resolves issues in a lawsuit the government entity filed to change the stadium development. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — Details of an agreement to end a lawsuit affecting the Kansas City Chiefs stadium development were revealed Monday.
The agreement between the Unified Government of Wyandotte and Kansas City and the state of Kansas outlines boundaries of the STAR bond district, determines the local sales tax pledge area and allows for the appointment of Christal Watson, Kansas City, Kansas, mayor, to the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority that will govern the development.
“Settling these outstanding items is a decisive step forward for all involved,” said Gov. Laura Kelly in a news release announcing the deal. “Every detail is critical when you’re working on a $4 billion deal — and our strong, committed partnerships paved the way for a shared path forward for all of us.”
The unified government commission voted unanimously Thursday to pledge its portion of sales tax revenue and a portion of its transient guest tax revenue collected in the Sales Tax and Revenue Bonds district limited to the stadium and areas surrounding it, the news release said.
The commission also agreed to drop the lawsuit it filed over concerns the stadium deal and the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority interfered with their ability to make decisions locally to tax, zone and plan, as well as collect fees and provide utility service through its publicly owned utility.
The state agreed to remove the Quindaro Ruins area, north of Kansas City along the Missouri River, from the STAR bond district, excluding future development there from being included in revenue requirements of the Chiefs stadium, the news release said.
Watson said in the news release the agreement allays the concerns of the local community and is a “win” for all parties. She will have a voting seat on the sports facility board and on the Community Impact Committee that will be set up as part of the Chiefs STAR bond agreement.
The agreement must be signed by the sports authority chair, and a meeting of the 11-member board is expected in the next two weeks, the release said.
Topeka, KS
