An aggressive search for a Major League Baseball team in Nashville has raised questions about the possibility of the Royals moving there. “They’ve told us they’re going to look at any and all options, and out of state is an option,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca. Abarca was one of the driving forces behind a referendum on a 40-year sales tax to help pay for a new Royals stadium in the Crossroads area of downtown Kansas City and renovations in Arrowhead. Jackson County voters defeated that referendum in April. A group called “Music City Baseball” has been searching for a Major League team for Nashville since 2019. The group previously pursued the Tampa Bay Rays, but is now focused on finding property to build a stadium for an expansion franchise. Negro Leagues Museum president Bob Kendrick has been advising Music City Baseball on the idea of naming a new team, the Nashville Stars, after the former Negro Leagues team there. He is not aware of any conversations the Royals or owner John Sherman have had with Nashville. “As an entrepreneur, you have to weigh all your opportunities and possibilities. And so, if you had conversations with Nashville, I think you would be within your rights to do so, because you want to try to find the best situation for the success of your franchise,” Kendrick said . Reached by phone and text message, John Loar, who runs day-to-day operations for Music City Baseball, said he “has never had a conversation with Royals owner John Sherman about a possible move to Nashville.” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a new law Friday after it passed Tuesday in a special session of the legislature. The law provides a framework for the state to offer sales tax or STAR bonds to build stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas City, Kansas. Abarca suggests that Missouri and Kansas leaders collaborate to keep teams in the area. “I think it’s something worth exploring. I know several of us have relationships across the state line, not just in the Unified Government.” of Kansas City, Kansas, but also in Johnson County. And that could create momentum for us to collaborate and work together,” he said. How we got here: A look back at what led to the recent discussion about the future of the Chiefs and Royals in the metro area. Kendrick points out that Kansas City has lost sports franchises. in the past. First, the city lost the A’s to Oakland and then the NBA’s Kings to Sacamento. “I’m sure people never thought the Kings were going to leave and sure enough, they left,” Kendrick said. “We’re all putting out the positive energy, sending it into Kauffman Stadium to try to find a way to make sure the team stays here. But again, as a smart businessman, you don’t close down any potential opportunities. And John is just that, a very smart businessman. “While Nashville is looking for an expansion franchise, the cost is expected to be significantly higher than acquiring an existing team. Major League Baseball has waived a relocation fee for the A’s to move to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, multiple reports indicate that the fee for a new expansion team will likely be between $1 billion and $2 billion, on top of any costs to build a new stadium. “Right now, it would just be kind of an estimate. Yeah, we know it’s not going to be cheap,” Kendrick said. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated that he would like to add two new franchises for 32 teams before his term expires in 2029.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri—
An aggressive pursuit by a Major League Baseball team in Nashville has raised questions about the possibility of the Royals moving there.
“They’ve told us they’re going to look at any and all options, and leaving another state is an option,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca.
Abarca was one of the driving forces behind a referendum on a 40-year sales tax to help pay for a new Royals Stadium in the Crossroads area of downtown Kansas City and renovations in Arrowhead.
Jackson County voters defeated that referendum in April.
A group called “Music City Baseball” has been searching for a Major League team for Nashville since 2019.
The group previously pursued the Tampa Bay Rays, but is now focused on finding property to build a stadium for an expansion franchise.
Negro Leagues Museum president Bob Kendrick has been advising Music City Baseball on the idea of naming a new team, the Nashville Stars, after the former Negro Leagues team there.
He is not aware of any conversations the Royals or owner John Sherman have had with Nashville.
“As a businessman, you have to weigh all your opportunities and possibilities. So if I were to have conversations with Nashville, I think it would be within their rights to do so, because you want to try to find the best situation.” for the success of their franchise,” Kendrick said.
Reached by phone and text message, John Loar, who runs day-to-day operations for Music City Baseball, said he “never had a conversation with Royals owner John Sherman about a possible move to Nashville.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a new law Friday following its passage Tuesday in a special session of the legislature.
The law provides a framework for the state to offer sales tax or STAR bonds to build stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas City, Kansas.
Abarca suggests that Missouri and Kansas leaders collaborate to keep teams in the area.
“I think it’s something worth exploring. I know that several of us have relationships across the state line, not only in the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas, but also in Johnson County. And that could create some momentum in our collaboration, working together,” he said.
Kendrick points out that Kansas City has lost sports franchises in the past.
First, the city lost the A’s to Oakland and then the NBA’s Kings to Sacamento.
“I’m sure people never thought the Kings were going to leave and sure enough, they left,” Kendrick said. “We’re all putting out positive energy, sending it into Kauffman Stadium to try to find a way to make sure the team stays here. But again, as a smart businessman, you don’t close down any potential opportunities. And John is just that, a businessman very smart”.
While Nashville is pursuing an expansion franchise, the cost is expected to be significantly higher than acquiring an existing team.
Major League Baseball has waived a relocation fee for the A’s to move to Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, multiple reports indicate that the fee for a new expansion team will likely be between $1 billion and $2 billion, on top of any costs to build a new stadium.
“At this point, it would just be kind of a guess. Yes, although we know it won’t be cheap,” Kendrick said.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated that he would like to add two new franchises for 32 teams before his term expires in 2029.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.