Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes‘ investment in women’s soccer is facing fresh scrutiny as Kansas City moves ahead with a major expansion of the Kansas City Current’s home stadium. The project has received approval for up to $185 million in public financing, but not everyone on the city council believes the deal offers enough clarity. Three council members raised concerns about the lack of detailed development plans, putting the spotlight on a major project involving the NFL couple’s soccer club..
Patrick and Brittany Mahomes’ KC Current stadium expansion faces opposition
The Kansas City Current wants to increase CPKC Stadium’s capacity from 11,500 to 18,000 seats, creating more room for supporters and potentially attracting larger sporting events. However, the expansion has sparked questions about how much the surrounding community will gain from the city’s financial support..Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes are part of the club’s ownership group alongside Angie and Chris Long. Brittany joined the original ownership group, while Patrick became a co-owner in January 2023, making him the first active NFL player to hold an ownership stake in an NWSL team.The proposed expansion forms part of a much larger riverfront development plan. Club developer Mukul Sharma said the project could attract up to $800 million in private investment, alongside new housing, commercial spaces and public recreational areas.However, council members Johnathan Duncan, Nathan Willett and Melissa Patterson Hazley opposed the funding agreement. Their concerns centred on the lack of specific development details, particularly what residents would receive in return for the city’s financial commitment.Duncan questioned whether the council had enough information to make such a significant decision.“I would love to see a better understanding of what we’re actually getting for our money,” Duncan said.Patterson Hazley also expressed reservations about approving the proposal without a clearer picture of the development.“It felt tantamount to a blank check,” Patterson Hazley said in an email. “I look forward to seeing more specific development plans in the future and I hope to feel comfortable lending my support on bond scheduling. Overall, it’s a worthy project but in my opinion lacked specificity at this stage. I’m ready to learn more.”
$185 million KC Current funding deal raises questions
The financial structure also became a point of disagreement. Duncan warned that redirected tax revenue still carries a cost for the city, even when another entity takes responsibility for the bonds.“I think it’s incumbent upon this body to really consider that these bonds — even if it’s being backed by another entity — isn’t free money,” Duncan said. “We are redirecting revenue that would be going to our general fund back into projects.”Willett separately questioned whether the proposed MODESA 2.0 tax incentive was suitable for an area already experiencing development.Despite the objections, the council approved the agreement. Supporters argued that the Current taking responsibility for issuing the bonds and covering potential debt shortfalls would help protect city finances.The decision moves the stadium expansion forward, but questions about the riverfront’s future remain. For Patrick and Brittany Mahomes’ ownership group, the next challenge will be ensuring that the ambitious project delivers benefits beyond the stadium itself.
