Issue Update
Unified Government Public Relations

701 N. 7th Street, Room 620
Kansas City, Kansas 66101

Mike Taylor, Public Relations Director

913.573.5565

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2017

Kansas City T-Bones Management Agreement
The Village West area is the Number One tourist attraction in Kansas, drawing millions of visitors a year for
shopping, dining and sporting events. The Kansas City T-Bones have been an integral part of that tourism mix
since Village West began.
The Kansas City T-Bones generate a direct and indirect economic impact of $4.2-million a year for Wyandotte
County. As new attractions have been added, attendance at the T-Bones games have declined over the past
few years. In 2014, the Unified Government took over ownership of the Community America Ball Park, making
the T-Bones a tenant.
The Unified Government has negotiated a new contract with the ownership of the T-Bones, changing the
arrangement from the team leasing the stadium, to the team being a manager of the stadium.
This new contract restructures payments from the T-Bones to the Unified Government, taking into account the
decreased attendance and revenues. It is anticipated this new contract arrangement will successfully assist the
T-Bones in making timely payments for use of the stadium and repay outstanding debts.
The change in management structure is also anticipated to save the Unified Government $240,000 a year in
property taxes which the State of Kansas now requires to be paid on the stadium.
The Unified Government ordered an outside audit of the T-Bones which found the teams financial models and
expenses were appropriate and demonstrated proper controls.
The Kansas City T-Bones will be required to pay $20,000 each year over the next 4 years to cover past due
bills. The T-Bones will also be required to post a surety bond of $135,000 which can be cashed by the UG if
the T-Bones again fall into default.
The new management agreement changes the term from 20 years (ending in 2034), to 6 years ending in 2022.
If the UG decides to terminate the agreement early, the UG will pay a declining termination fee ranging from
$1-million for canceling the 2019 season, declining to $500,000 for canceling the 2021 season. Any unpaid
bills or expenses owed the UG will be subtracted from the termination fee.
BPU electric and water will be put in the name of the UG. The UG will be responsible for paying an estimated
55% of the bill with the T-Bones paying 45%. The UG offered to assist the BPU in collecting past due amounts
owed by the T-Bones as part of the restructured agreement. The BPU declined the offer.

CONTACT: Mike Taylor, Public Relations Director Office: 913.573.5565 Cell: 913.449.4848
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