The Kansas City Royals are in the doldrums of Major League Baseball right now, but there’s news on the horizon that could spark hope in the fanbase.
Royals owner John Sherman penned an open letter to Royals fans on Tuesday, July 25 indicating that the team plans to share major news on a new “ballpark district” for the team soon.
“Many of you have expressed that you would like to hear more information on our new ballpark district vision,” Sherman wrote. “In the next 30 days, we plan to share an overview of the ballpark district, including the broad benefits of the two sites under consideration -- one in Jackson County and one in Clay County. We are putting both sites through an equally rigorous process.”
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Sherman wrote that the district will include a “world-class” ballpark, and include “meaningful development” around it. He estimated that the ballpark will generate “some $185 million more” in regional economic output in its first year than what the team currently has today at Kauffman Stadium.
Sherman also said that the Royals ownership group will commit over $1 billion in private investment for the project, and said they will announce the exact site for the ballpark district in September.
“We are committed to doing this right. This is a huge decision for us. We’re focused on playing the long game for the region we call home,” Sherman wrote.
While Sherman did not indicate when the Royals are expected to move ballparks in the letter, he indicated in June that the target is 2027 or 2028.
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The Royals sit at 29-73 for the 2023 MLB season, the second worst record in the league, just a game ahead of the Oakland Athletics. They’ve made the playoffs just 9 times in 55 years, and only twice since 1986. Those two appearances did bear World Series berths, including winning it all in 2015.
They are also third to last in the league in attendance for the 2023 season at just 16,305 average fans per game, ahead of only the Athletics and Miami Marlins.
The struggles are even more evident given that the Kauffman Stadium stands right beside Arrowhead Stadium, which houses the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. Led by reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are coming off their second Super Bowl victory in the last four years.
