JEFFERSON CITY — A bill including incentives to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri will move to the floor in the Missouri House of Representatives following committee approval Tuesday afternoon.

The House Economic Development Committee passed the bill without making any changes. The Missouri Senate passed the legislation, along with two other bills, last week in the first week of the special session.

The bill includes the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which aims to help fund renovations to the Kansas City Chiefs’ stadium and building a new stadium for the Royals. The bill would allow up to 50% of stadium construction bond costs to be paid back with tax money generated at the stadiums.

Lawmakers are up against an end-of-June deadline to pass the legislation; Kansas passed a bill that would fund up to 70% of stadium costs and requires the teams to make a decision whether to stay in Missouri by the end of the month.

If the House votes to approve the legislation, it goes to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk for his signature. By placing the bill in the special session agenda, Kehoe indicated his support for the legislation.

Supporters of the bill say keeping the sports teams in Missouri is important for the economy. A New Bloomfield Republican told KOMU 8 on Monday that he believes the bill will keep jobs in Missouri.

Kathy Nelson, the president and CO of both Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, agrees. She testified in favor of the bill before the Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.

“This bill was so critical to Kansas City, not only for the Royals and the Chiefs, and the stadiums, and keeping them in Missouri, but also selfishly the amateur sports tax credit,” Nelson said. “That’s a big, big deal to Kansas City and our region. So for us, to make sure that we’re able to continue to keep things like Big 12, NCAA, NAIA, Olympic type of things, and youth sports, that’s a huge deal and impact to our community.”

The bill is expected to pass the House; the chamber passed the stadium funding bill in the regular session before the Senate derailed the legislation.

However, the bill saw testimony against its passage on Tuesday, as well.

“It just spends an awful lot of money of the people of Missouri to give to wealthy team owners who don’t need it,” said Patrick Tuohey, a senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute. “And really, it won’t change their behavior. They will stay in Kansas City, and probably the Missouri side because it’s a good market. I think Missouri and Kansas City and Jackson County should be able to make the argument that we’re a great place to invest, but we’re not going to pay you to love us.”

Ruger became the first Blue Diamond level sponsor of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) in 2024 by supporting the youth shooting sports program with more than $75,000 a year. The company’s relationship with the SSSF is long-standing. Originally a Founding Partner of the SSSF’s Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) in 2012, the firm continues into 2025 as a Blue Diamond sponsor of both SSSF’s SASP and Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) youth development programs.

“Ruger is honored to be the first sponsor to reach the Blue Diamond level in supporting such a worthy cause that teaches safe, responsible handling of firearms,” said Paul Pluff, Ruger public relations manager.

Youths participating in SASP events use either rimfire rifles, revolvers or pistols and/or centerfire handguns or pistol-caliber carbines to engage circular or rectangular plates. SCTP teams practice and complete in trap, skeet and sporting clays, as well as Olympic disciplines that include Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles and International Skeet.

“We are honored to have a great company like Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. as a sponsor of our youth development programs,” commented Rick Leach, SSSF president and executive director and national director of SASP. “Ruger celebrated their 75th year of making quality firearms last year, and we appreciate their support. Throughout the year, Ruger runs auctions on Gun Broker to support charities. We are humbled that they would select us to be a beneficiary of those funds.”

Ruger has a deep commitment to youth shooting sports and the future of the Second Amendment. This year, for example, the company continued its longstanding relationship with the Friends of the NRA as a Defender Level Corporate Sponsor. In April, the total money it raised since beginning special auctions for worthy organizations on Gunbroker.com in 2010 reached the $900,000 milestone.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Local and regional non-profit organizations have great opportunities to raise money for their causes by working food service and concessions positions at Fighting Illini football games this season.  Non-profits can earn anywhere from $10,000 to $45,000 in an athletic season.

Illinois’ official concessions vendor, Oak View Group, offers community groups the ability to make anywhere from $120-$175 per game/per worker plus tips earned at the designated stand. It is recommended that groups have 6-10 workers per stand. There are additional opportunities for revenue for those who get Basset certified to work beer portables. Certification must be completed online for everyone (~approximately $14 per certification).

“This is a great opportunity available in our community,” said Tyler Hopple, General Manager of Illinois Athletic Food & Beverage. “Working as a non-profit group at athletic events offers a unique way to raise funds while building teamwork and community pride. The program is mutually beneficial for both Illinois Athletics and the non-profit organizations, whether it’s youth sports groups, school programs, or other local charities. It’s more than just fundraising; it’s a chance to engage with thousands of fans, develop valuable skills, and represent your mission in a high-energy environment. For the organizations, we’ve seen many groups clear well over $10,000 a football season and members who work all sports can clear more than $50,000 during the 2025-26 year.”

TESTIMONIAL FROM JEANNINE REESE, ST. JUDE’S CHILDRENS HOSPITAL RUN GROUP:

“As St. Jude runners, we commit to raising money when we register to participate in the yearly event which has 35 teams from across the state running to the Midwest affiliate in Peoria. Without this opportunity, we would not have been able to do what we do for St. Jude.

“We started volunteering at food and beer stands in 2019 and between the first football game of 2024 and the last baseball game on May 11 this spring, our overall crew of 15 volunteers worked 60 UI events for a grand total of $61,686.31. That amount includes all tips kindly given to us.”

For more information or to sign up your non-profit, contact Tyler Hopple at tyler.hopple@oakviewgroup.com.

Sports clubs have the potential to provide a profound and positive impact on the mental health of their younger members, but the whole club must be engaged to make a real difference.

A new study by Flinders University, published in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, shows that while coaches are often the focus of mental health efforts in sport, real and sustainable change relies on recognizing the role of all club stakeholders including parents, committee members, trainers and volunteers.

“Our findings suggest that mental health initiatives in youth sporting clubs need to go beyond coaches to embrace a ‘whole-club’ approach,” says lead author, registered psychologist and Ph.D. student, Kate Rasheed.

“Sporting clubs are made up of so many moving parts and if we want to truly support young people, we need to consider the club as a whole, and not just rely on coaches or one passionate individual.”

With growing recognition of sporting clubs as venues for mental health promotion, various programs and resources have been developed for these locations.

“Some programs have shown promise in improving mental health outcomes, however it’s still not regarded as a priority,” says Rasheed from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Drawing on interviews with 23 South Australian sporting club stakeholders, including coaches, trainers, presidents, and parents, the study found strong recognition of the importance of community clubs supporting youth mental health.

However, this recognition is rarely translated into meaningful or ongoing engagement with club-based mental health initiatives.

“Many participants described one-off efforts or ‘token’ activities that lacked integration into club culture or routine,” she says.

“We really need to rethink how mental health strategies are framed and delivered.

“They should not only focus on individual well-being but also a broader perspective that includes support and education for players, coaches, and staff, as well as the club’s policies, culture, and structure.

“By addressing these, clubs can create a more supportive environment rather than just implementing isolated programs.

“It ensures mental health initiatives are embedded in the club’s identity, making them more effective and long-lasting.”

The study also found that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on helping clubs create safe, inclusive environments, and integrate mental health support into existing practices and routines of sport.

Importantly, these efforts must also work to bridge the persistent gap between performance, physical health, and mental health by using sport-specific strategies that make mental well-being part of everyday training and play.

“Unlocking a club’s potential requires a collective, multilayered approach tailored to each individual club,” she says.

“We’re not saying clubs necessarily have to do more, but they do need to do things differently. Even small, well-aligned steps when embedded in club culture and routine can make a meaningful difference.”