A prominent Democrat has launched a blistering attack on Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, branding him a ‘welfare king’ over the decision to leave Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs, who moved into Arrowhead in 1972, confirmed on Monday that they have agreed to a deal to leave their home and build a brand new stadium by 2031.
The ambitious project includes a $3 billion stadium, set to open in six years time, alongside a new team headquarters and training facility in Olathe, Kansas.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt announced that, as a result of the agreement, the team will relocate across the Missouri River to a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility in Wyandotte County.
Hunt hailed the move as a ‘momentous step for the franchise’, however U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle did not agree and, instead, offered a brutal analysis.
Taking to X on Boxing Day, Boyle wrote: ‘Clark Hunt: the biggest Welfare King in America. Billions of taxpayer money going to this billionaire, while working people suffer. Just a disgrace’.
Democratic Party member Brendan Boyle ripped into Clark Hunt over the Chiefs’ stadium move
The news was confirmed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs CEO Hunt on Monday
According to the Chiefs’ press release, the project is slated to deliver over 20,000 jobs to Kansas and will have an estimated economic impact at around $4.4 billion.
However, Boyle took issue with the funding behind the project. It will be funded through a public-private partnership – with the public portion accounting for 60 percent of the funding.
Meanwhile, the Hunt family, owners of the franchise, have also committed to $1 billion in additional development.
Similarly to Boyle, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was informed of the move by team president Mark Donovan, called the day a ‘setback as a Kansas Citian’.
‘We are professionals and understand the Chiefs have a business to run and today made a business decision,’ Lucas admitted according to KCTV.
‘Business decisions are a reality, and we all understand that, but Arrowhead Stadium is more – it’s family, tradition, and a part of Kansas City we will never leave’.
The Mayor revealed that Jackson County, the City, and the State of Missouri had organized a massive $1.5 billion package that he described as ‘compelling for team officials and responsible for taxpayers’.
Despite the lucrative offer, the Chiefs still decided to leave their iconic home stadium.
The Chiefs revealed that they are set to leave Arrowhead for a new stadium in 2031
The Chiefs revealed that the project will be split into two aspects. The first being a $3 billion stadium in Olathe, Kansas, which is set to open for the 2031 NFL season.
They will also build a new Chiefs headquarters and training facility in the Wyandotte County town.
Both sites, according to their statement, will include mixed-use developments that could also see hotel, shopping and entertainment properties built as part of it.
According to the Chiefs’ press release, the project is slated to deliver over 20,000 jobs to Kansas and will have an estimated economic impact at around $4.4 billion.
