http://ap.thekansan.com/stories/state/k ... 5777.shtml
And now Daddy Incompetent is issuing the first threat of RELOCATION!!!!! The nerve of these clowns!
Royals owner says team would explore "other options" if tax is voted down
DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The owner of the Kansas City Royals said Friday the team would "look at other options" if a sales tax to raise money for renovating aging Kauffman Stadium is voted down.
David Glass, who purchased the team from the estate of the late Ewing Kauffman six years ago for $96 million, emphasized he wants to keep the team in Kansas City. But in an interview prior to the annual Royals forecast luncheon, Glass declined an opportunity to state that relocating the franchise would be out of the question.
"If they decide no, we'll start looking at other options," said the former CEO of Wal-Mart.
Voters in Jackson County, Mo., will decide on April 4 on a three-eighths cent sales tax that over 25 years would generate about $425 million of the projected $575 million needed for upgrades to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums.
The Royals would chip in $25 million and the Chiefs $75 million. Missouri tax credits would add another $50 million.
The stadiums opened in the early 1970s, and while they have retained their eye appeal, both are badly in need of renovation. The teams have signed renewals on their leases that keep them here until Jan. 31, 2031, provided the improvements are made.
If improvements are not made, the Jackson County Sports Authority could be in violation of the present lease, and the teams could be free to leave as early as 2007.
Few people expect the Chiefs, who perpetually sell out Arrowhead, to leave the area. A possibility would be to build a new football stadium on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area.
But the Royals, who have faced declining fan interest in a period where they've lost at least 100 games in three of the last four years, could be more vulnerable.
"I would hate to see this franchise ever be put in a position where they had to consider leaving Kansas City," said Glass. "I got involved with the team specifically to make sure that it stays in Kansas City. That's been my family's objective and it's still our objective.
"I think you have to do something with the facilities. You can't just go on and on without renovating."
Voters have already rejected one tax plan to raise money for stadium improvements. Jack Steadman, the Chiefs' vice chairman of the board, has indicated that there may not be a third opportunity.
"We'll get one more bite at the apple, and if this vote fails, I honestly don't see any more (ballot issues) coming," Steadman said when the teams signed their new leases earlier this week. "It would force us to look at other options, which we don't want to do."
A vocal segment of media and business is championing a new stadium in downtown Kansas City. But Glass says 80 percent of Kansas Citians the team has heard from would prefer to stay in Kauffman.
"I'm not exploring any other options because I'm assuming that this is the right thing to do, what we're going to go do," Glass said. "But should (the tax) fail, then we'll have to see what the other options are."
Unlike many cities with new downtown ballparks, Kansas City does not have a light rail system. Glass has never shown any interest in a new downtown stadium.
"The question is what can you control. I can't control all this," said Glass, who plans to campaign actively for passage of the tax.
"The right thing to do is renovate the sports complex and play baseball there for the foreseeable future."