The annual tradition of the Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon in Kansas City prompted some discussion about the future of the NFL team’s future in St. Joseph. The Kansas City Chiefs first held their summer training camp at Missouri Western State University in 2010. The initial five-year commitment expires this year.
The Kansas City Star reported that it appears the Chiefs are leaning toward returning to St. Joseph next year. “Our focus right now is to work with St. Joe and to work with Missouri Western to make sure we can continue there, and we feel very positive we’ll be able to do that,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said. St. Joseph television station KQ2 also reported on Donovan’s remarks.
Kurt McGuffin, Missouri Western’s director of athletics, told the St. Joseph News-Press that discussions about the Chiefs returning have been positive.
“I just feel very confident in the type of people we have at Missouri Western running it, and I know the Chiefs are confident in us,” McGuffin said. “We make it very easy for them to come to camp here in St. Joe.”
During the luncheon, the Chiefs showed video highlights of training camp, with players and coaches wired for sound. The Chiefs also created a video thanking St. Joseph at the conclusion of training camp.