By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs shocked the state of Missouri with the teams announcement of its move across the state line with a new stadium in 2031.
While Kansas governor Laura Kelly and many top Kansas representatives praised the move, US Senator Roger Marshall seems a bit more apprehensive towards it, while still having excitement.
Marshall says while the state will celebrate the move, financially he has his own concerns about the move
"I’m concerned well how much is this going to cost the people of Kansas, I hope it works out well for everybody, I’m going to do my part and support them as well,” Marshall tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, certainly we’re going to celebrate the Chiefs either way, it’s still a long ways until that new stadium is built and stuff, but they will still be a part of Kansas City and just like I supported them in Missouri, I hope the people of Missouri support them when they’re in Kansas as well.”
A new stadium for is being built in Wyandotte County, set to open in 2031. The team is also opening a new practice facility and team headquarters in Olathe as well.
Marshall, however, sees the economic benefits for his state.
"Certainly it’s going to mean a lot more jobs, there’s going to be seven more Sunday’s when all the hotel rooms are full, and all the restaurants are full, and I think they’re going to certainly have more of an activity, fun, and restaurants around the stadium there where the current stadium is, so it will mean a lot more jobs,” Marshall explains. “At the same time, Kansas is making a huge investment of taxpayer money, indirectly, into the project as well.”
Marshall though acknowledges that the Kansas Speedway, as well as Sporting Kansas City have both had success in Kansas, and they expect the Chiefs to have success as well in bringing in both tourism dollars as well as new jobs.