KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the 2025 Missouri legislative session enters its final week, a state senator believes it’s either Clay County or bust for the Kansas City Royals to remain in Missouri.

“I think the team, quite frankly, has made it very clear that it is the Clay County site or they will leave the state of Missouri,” Nurrenbern said Monday.

But Clay County officials will need help in getting a proposal past the finish line.

Earlier this year , Nurrenbern introduced Senate Bill 710, which would create the Clay County Sports Complex Authority. The bill was later merged into Senate Bill 80 .

The authority would be tasked with “developing, maintaining or operating sports, convention, exhibition or trade facilities” in Clay County, similar to the role of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

“This week, Senate Bill 80 sits on the calendar in the Missouri House of Representatives, and we expect debate to happen soon,” Nurrenbern said Monday. “Nothing is over until it’s over — there are no guarantees, but I do think there is a real path and a real possibility of getting it done this week.”

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment. They did not provide a response as of 6 p.m. Monday.

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas met with Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman at 4 p.m. Monday.

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for the mayor said it was not Lucas' understanding that Clay County is the only option.

"We look forward to our ongoing work with the Royals, state leadership, and Kansas City government to ensure the Royals have the support and resources to build our next great downtown MLB stadium," the mayor's spokesperson said. "We are grateful for state resources that can support all communities.”

Nurrenbern said through her pathway, there would not be a need for direct state appropriation. Instead, tax revenue would be generated over a 25-year period.

“This is not the state coming in and building the stadium for the team; this is just a piece of the pie," she said. "I expect that the ownership will contribute a significant amount of money."

Across from the Clay County Courthouse is Brant’s Clothing, a sports store that is counting on a lasting Royals legacy. For Scott Brant, that means the team staying in the Kansas City metro.

“My kids want to work here someday,” Brant said. “We’ve been here for four generations. We enjoy selling Royals and Chiefs merchandise.”

Right on Liberty Square, Brant is all about the talk of the team.

“We’d love for the stadium to be in Clay County,” he said. “Whatever works at this point. They just need to find the resources at this point, which include money, property and friends.”

KSHB 41 News spoke with Gov. Mike Kehoe on Monday.

“Our position has been very clear: we want the Royals staying in Missouri,” he said.

Kehoe said he’s talked with Jackson County and Clay County leaders. Now, he wants to find the best ideas to ultimately make sure the Royals have options.

“They’ll have some options to look at, I’m pretty confident of that,” Kehoe said. “It’ll be a good return on investment for taxpayers, and it keeps the teams in Missouri to where we continue to have that economic result of having the teams here.”

“I’d vote for Clay County in North Kansas City,” said fan Debbie Wunsch. “Location, parking, it’s still within reason of Kansas and Missouri.”

Another fan said anywhere works for him as long as the team stays in the state.

“Definitely don’t want to see it go to Kansas. I wanna see it in Missouri; I think it’s the best compromise,” said Rick Grindel, Royals fan.