What do professional sports teams do when voters reject new stadiums?

The recent voter rejection of a stadium tax plan in Kansas City has left the Royals and Chiefs with some tough decisions to make. The defeat of the three-eighths cent sales tax proposal to fund a new downtown Royals ballpark and renovate Arrowhead Stadium has forced the teams to reevaluate their approach.

While some experts speculate that the next move for the teams could be to threaten to move, others believe that relocation is not imminent. Teams have various options to consider, such as tweaking their plans and asking voters again, building or renovating stadiums without public funds, or seeking approval for public subsidies directly from legislative bodies.

The rejection of stadium proposals is not uncommon across the country. From 1990 through 2023, voters have cast ballots on 57 stadium and arena proposals, approving 35 and rejecting 22. Some cities, like Oklahoma City, have successfully approved sales taxes to fund new arenas, while others, like Tempe, have faced setbacks in securing funding for sports facilities.

In some cases, teams have bypassed public referendums altogether and secured public subsidies through legislative bodies. The Nashville City Council approved $760 million in local bonds for a new football stadium for the Titans without a public vote, while construction began on a new football stadium for the Buffalo Bills with $850 million in public funds.

Despite the setback in Kansas City, teams have bounced back from stadium election losses in the past. The San Francisco Giants, for example, persisted with their stadium plans until they finally received voter approval in 1996. However, some teams have ultimately decided to move after voter rejection, such as the Oakland A’s relocating to Las Vegas and the Chargers moving to Los Angeles.

Overall, the rejection of the stadium tax plan in Kansas City has sparked a debate on the future of sports facilities and the role of public funding in their construction. Teams will need to carefully consider their next steps in light of the voter’s decision.