Chiefs spending has led to nearly $1B in economic impact in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs say their spending has resulted in nearly $1 billion in economic impact for the region.
The news comes with about two months until Jackson County votes on extending a 3/8th-cent sales tax for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals stadium projects.
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If approved, the 40-year sales tax would allow the Chiefs to renovate Arrowhead Stadium.
On Thursday, the Chiefs released figures from Philadelphia-based firm Econsult Solutions that show a total annual economic impact of $993.2 million in the Kansas City area.
The Chiefs said it comes as a result of spending on the team and Arrowhead Stadium operations, as well as additional spending from non-local attendees at games and events.
The team said the nearly $1 billion in economic activity has supported nearly 6,000 jobs annually, and the Chiefs have generated about $28.8 million in direct, indirect and induced tax revenue for Missouri annually.
“We know that the franchise and the stadium are key economic drivers for Kansas City, Jackson County and the State of Missouri and are excited that our community is realizing nearly $1 billion annual activity through the franchise,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement.
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“As we prepare for another Super Bowl, we know the eyes of the world will continue to be on Kansas City and we are proud to represent our hometown on the sport’s largest stage.”
In Jackson County, specifically, the Chiefs said they’ve generated $573.2 million per year in economic impact, supporting over 4.500 jobs.
Jackson County voters will head to the polls on April 2 to vote on the 40-year stadium sales tax for both the Chiefs and Royals.
Earlier this month, county legislators voted to override County Executive Frank White’s veto to put the question on the ballot. Some legislators have worried the Chiefs would leave Jackson County and Missouri entirely and move to Kansas if voters don’t approve the sales tax.
Other Kansas City-area nonprofits, unions and organizations have thrown their support to approving the sales tax and keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.
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“The Kansas City Chiefs continue to be a pivotal force in driving economic growth, awareness and community-building for the Kansas City region,” Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, said in a statement Thursday.
“From game days to parades, the impact from tourism and Chiefs Kingdom is felt by our local businesses, large and small.”
Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said the team is critical to the region’s economy but also has “tremendous value beyond any financial measure.”
“The team is a significant element of our community’s DNA – a unifying factor that brings people together through a collective identity as Chiefs Kingdom. … You can put a dollar amount to the substantial economic impact of the Chiefs; however, the power of the team to unite people in a shared sense of community is priceless,” Reardon said.
