PRESS RELEASE: KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas celebrated the introduction of Senate Bill 2986, which would authorize Missouri state support in connection with city incentives to retain and attract professional sports teams and entertainment venues under the Missouri Entertainment Facility - Capital Assistance Program (MEF-CAP) Act:
“The Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs are Kansas City’s teams today and will remain Kansas City’s teams for generations to come. I am proud to partner with Senator Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City), Representative Sherri Gallick (R-Belton), and Representative Mark Sharp (D-Kansas City) on the Missouri Entertainment Facility Capital Assistance Program Act (MEF-CAP) —bipartisan legislation giving Missouri cities the tools we need to keep our professional franchises, attract new teams, and maintain world-class entertainment venues.
Professional sports are cities’ economic engines which create jobs, drive tourism, and build civic pride. And without professional sports stadiums, Kansas City would have to pass up on opportunities to host artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, or Morgan Wallen, host FIFA World Cup games, college bowl games, and so much more.
The balanced approach in the legislation that responsibly unlocks public support exceeding current competitive offers elsewhere ensures taxpayers are protected while providing a transformative opportunity for Kansas City and communities across Missouri.”
The MEF-CAP Act includes strong taxpayer protections by capping total public support for each project and requiring private financial commitments to apply for state assistance.