KU Still Without Signed Contract with Chiefs for Arrowhead Stadium Game, One Day Before Kickoff | Sports

Editor's notice: KU Athletics knowledgeable KCUR Friday afternoon the contract with the Chiefs had been signed. They haven't but offered the contract to KCUR.

Original story continues beneath:

They’re portray a Jayhawk on the sphere at Arrowhead Stadium.

University of Kansas Athletics stated it plans to be there Friday to organize the press field for Saturday’s soccer sport in opposition to TCU.

KU head coach Lance Leipold is trying ahead to enjoying on the residence of the Chiefs.

”Hopefully, (followers) present up, are energetic and might help us after we want them,” Leipold stated.

Here’s the rub: KU and the Chiefs have but to signal a contract permitting the Jayhawks to play at Arrowhead.

“It’s complex,” KU Athletics spokesperson Daniel Berk stated.

Berk wouldn’t go into element about what these complexities are, besides to say insurance coverage protection is one in every of them.

KU introduced on Jan. 30 that it might play its residence soccer video games in Kansas City whereas rebuilding Memorial Stadium in Lawrence for $450 million. The first two had been at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The relaxation shall be performed at Arrowhead.

The day after KU introduced the video games away from the house subject, KCUR filed a Kansas Open Records Request for the contracts.

Before the Jayhawks opened the season in opposition to Lindenwood University in August, KU offered the contract with Sporting KC for use if its park.

But week after week in response to follow-up questions, KU saved sending emails from the Custodian of Public Records saying it had “no determinative response to offer you at this time” in regards to the Arrowhead contract. Every e-mail ended the identical, “Thank you for your attention and patience.”

Then Wednesday, KU despatched an e-mail saying “the University of Kansas does not have a final executed agreement” for the video games at Arrowhead. It promised to offer the contract as quickly because it was signed and reviewed by the college’s legal professionals.

Berk stated to not fear.

“It’s been six months of complex communications, but we fully expect to have an agreement,” he informed KCUR.

However complicated the contract with the Chiefs is likely to be, the one with Sporting is transient and easy. The “Letter of Agreement” is simply 4 pages lengthy. KU paid Sporting $100,000 in lease and one other $150,000 for sport day operations, in line with the deal obtained by means of the open information request.

Sporting KC retained all parking and concession income and bought 20% of KU merchandise income offered on the park. KU was additionally obligated to reimburse Sporting for “reasonable” and “documented” bills to restore any injury to the sphere.

The Chiefs didn't return an e-mail searching for remark.