Chiefs president Mark Donovan hints at Arrowhead's farewell as Chiefs explore "every option on the table"
The Kansas City Chiefs have called Arrowhead Stadium their home since 1972. Since then, they have experienced multiple highs and lows there, including their recent run of dominance that has seen them win three Super Bowls in five seasons.
However, the stadium is now more than 50 years old, and the team and the municipal government need to decide whether to renovate the place or replace it in the near future. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chiefs President Mark Donovan said:
"I would say every option is on the table. ... What makes the most sense for our fans, what makes the most sense for our franchise and this organization, and what makes the most sense and can have the biggest impact on this region?
"And I think the positive of this is that we do have options, and we'll consider those. I've said this to you guys multiple times: this is a generational decision. This is going to impact the future of this franchise for generations. We've gotta get it right."
Chiefs President Mark Donovan sets a six-month window for Chiefs to decide on future home
So, how long will the decision-making process on the stadium take? For Mark Donovan, it may take around six months. He said:
"We feel like we're in that window right now. We feel like we need to get something done in the next six months to figure out and be in a good position, so that's the timeline we're working on."
The Chiefs president added that those plans might depend on who becomes governor after state elections in Missouri (incumbent Governor Mike Parson's term expires in January).
"I think they're working very diligently to try to figure out what makes sense. Until they have an idea on Aug. 4, where they stand with who is going to be the presumptive governor, they really can't go too far."
The team's plans to stay where they currently are had taken a blow in April when Jackson County voters rejected a proposed sales tax that would have gone to renovating Arrowhead Stadium. However, a second vote is already in the works.
Donovan hopes that whatever the plan, it will go differently from the last time. He said:
"I've had this conversation at multiple levels on the Missouri side, if we go to a public vote, we'll do it in a way which is much more final before we get to the vote. We'll have a lot of the facts, a lot of the details determined before we go."
The Chiefs' lease on Arrowhead Stadium expires after the 2030 season.