Missouri Lawmaker Wants to Boot Kansas City Chiefs from Arrowhead Stadium

State House Speaker Pro-Tem Chad Perkins says the team should 'go play football at a high school field' in Kansas once their new stadium is built.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 10:47am

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A heated dispute is brewing between the Kansas City Chiefs and the state of Missouri, sparked by the team's planned relocation to a new stadium in Kansas by 2031. Missouri House Speaker Pro-Tem Chad Perkins is taking an aggressive stance, suggesting the Chiefs should leave their historic Arrowhead Stadium immediately and stop producing Missouri license plates with the team's branding.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tension between professional sports teams and the cities/states they play in over stadium financing and team relocations. Perkins' actions demonstrate the lengths to which local officials may go when feeling spurned by a franchise, potentially influencing how future stadium deals are negotiated.

The details

Perkins has sponsored a bill to halt production of Kansas City Chiefs-branded license plates in Missouri, arguing it's illogical to continue selling them once the team is based in another state. He has also publicly stated that if he were in charge of the Jackson County Sports Authority, he would demand the Chiefs vacate Arrowhead Stadium 'right now.' Perkins emphasizes that Arrowhead Stadium is owned by the Jackson County Sports Authority, not the Chiefs, suggesting the authority has the power to potentially terminate the team's lease.

  • The Chiefs have called Arrowhead Stadium home since 1972.
  • The team's new $3 billion stadium in Kansas is expected to open in 2031.

The players

Chad Perkins

Missouri House Speaker Pro-Tem who is taking an aggressive stance against the Kansas City Chiefs' planned relocation to Kansas.

Clark Hunt

Owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has stated the move to a new stadium in Kansas is intended to benefit Chiefs fans with a modern facility for generations to come.

Jackson County Sports Authority

The owner of Arrowhead Stadium, which Perkins argues gives them the power to potentially terminate the Chiefs' lease.

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What they’re saying

“Go play football at a high school field in Overland Park. I don't care. Obtain out.”

— Chad Perkins, Missouri House Speaker Pro-Tem (Missourinet)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.