Kansas is supposed to play Saturday’s college football game against TCU at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the university had not reached a formal agreement with the necessary parties that will allow it to use the field as of Wednesday evening.
Conversations are still ongoing with less than 72 hours until kickoff!
The Jayhawks are still planning to play the game as scheduled, where scheduled. Members of the athletic department will arrive on Friday to prepare the press box. Grounds crews are preparing the field with necessary logos. Even Arrowhead Stadium itself is promoting this weekend’s event on social media.
Some important things to know before this week’s @KU_Football game 🏈 pic.twitter.com/CXx4MGaEAa
— GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (@GEHAField) September 26, 2024
However, as first reported by KCUR 89.3, Kansas has yet to sign a formal contract that will allow its football team to play at Arrowhead on Saturday. According to KU Athletics spokesperson Daniel Berk, the “complex” situation is largely rooted in insurance coverage.
The Jayhawks are currently rebuilding their football stadium in Lawrence. It is not suitable for play.
As a result, the university announced two alternate locations for its home college football games in 2024. The first two games were played at Children’s Mercy Park, a soccer stadium. The rest will be played at Arrowhead. Maybe.
Kansas told KCUR on Wednesday that it “does not have a final executed agreement.” The Chiefs did not provide any further information.
Even though the optics are poor, Berk said that there is no reason for panic.
It’s been six months of complex communications, but we fully expect to have an agreement.
— KU Athletics spokesperson Daniel Berk
It also should be noted that entertainment contracts regularly aren’t signed until the final days so this is not that unusual. Both sides are moving forward as if something will get done on Thursday or Friday to allow the game to be played as planned.
Kansas’ hands are tied at this point and need to play at Arrowhead on Saturday, so it seems like the Chiefs have the leverage. Either way, contract negotiations continue with time of the essence!