Oh wow—another vague “term sheet” from the Royals? Be still my beating heart. A Clay county commissioner dropping Facebook updates like he’s unveiling the Dead Sea Scrolls would be cute if the stakes weren’t, you know, hundreds of millions in taxpayer money. Let’s be honest: until John Sherman puts actual ink on an actual contract, this is just more stadium theater. The Royals have burned through more goodwill than a fireworks tent on July 4th, and somehow we're supposed to swoon over a "vision" now? Pass. The Northland might be the last desperate option before the team relocates to a Dave & Buster’s parking lot in Olathe. But hey, glad Clay County got a term sheet—it'll look nice framed next to that PowerPoint the Chiefs emailed five years ago. Until there's a signed deal, the Royals are just ghosting the city with better lighting.
While that might sound like progress, many Northlanders
are rolling their eyes — and with good reason.
After a year of grandstanding, shifting sites, and vague promises, Royals ownership has worn out its welcome with much of the public. Owner John Sherman has talked a big game but delivered nothing but confusion, delay, and dashed expectations. Voters already rejected one stadium tax plan earlier this year, and trust in the team’s intentions is near zero.
Local observers point out that “term sheet” is just PR-speak for “we’re thinking about maybe doing something eventually.” There’s no signed deal. No binding agreement. No actual commitment.
“The Royals could promise to build the stadium on the moon, and it’d carry the same weight until someone signs on the dotted line,” one Northland resident said.
Even though the Northland may now represent the team’s last realistic shot at staying in the metro — and avoiding exile to a suburban strip mall parking lot — the public isn’t biting.
So far, the reaction to Withington’s post has been lukewarm at best. Residents remember the breathless news cycle from last year, when Royals stadium announcements dominated headlines. But after months of smoke and no fire, local media — and taxpayers — are showing signs of fatigue.
And Clay County might want to keep that term sheet handy — it could make a nice decoration for the county clerk’s office while everyone waits for an actual deal.
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