A leading figure in the US Democratic Party has unleashed a fierce verbal assault on Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, labelling him a 'welfare king' following the American football team's decision to leave its historic Arrowhead Stadium.
The Multi-Billion Dollar Relocation Plan
The Chiefs, who have called Arrowhead home since 1972, confirmed on Monday that they have struck a deal to depart and construct a brand new stadium complex. The ambitious project, with a planned opening in 2031, features a $3 billion stadium alongside a new team headquarters and training facility in Olathe, Kansas.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt announced the franchise will relocate across the Missouri River to a 'state-of-the-art' facility in Wyandotte County, hailing it as a 'momentous step'. However, the funding model quickly drew political fire.
Political Backlash Over Public Funding
US Representative Brendan Boyle offered a brutal critique on social media platform X on Boxing Day. He wrote: 'Clark Hunt: the biggest Welfare King in America. Billions of taxpayer money going to this billionaire, while working people suffer. Just a disgrace.'
His anger was directed at the project's financial structure, a public-private partnership where the public portion accounts for 60 percent of the funding. The Hunt family has committed $1 billion in additional development.
Despite the Chiefs' press release stating the project will deliver over 20,000 jobs and an estimated $4.4 billion economic impact for Kansas, critics argue the public cost is excessive.
Local Disappointment and a Rejected Offer
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, informed of the move by team president Mark Donovan, called the day a 'setback as a Kansas Citian'. He acknowledged the business decision but stressed Arrowhead's cultural significance, saying: 'it's family, tradition, and a part of Kansas City we will never leave.'
Mayor Lucas revealed that Jackson County, the City, and the State of Missouri had assembled a $1.5 billion package which he described as 'compelling for team officials and responsible for taxpayers'. The Chiefs opted to decline this offer and proceed with the cross-state move.
The new development will be split, with the stadium in Olathe set for the 2031 NFL season and the headquarters in Wyandotte County. Both sites are slated to include mixed-use developments potentially featuring hotels, shopping, and entertainment venues.
