TOPEKA, Kan. — A 170-year-old rivalry is flaring up as Kansas lawmakers try to snatch the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs away from Missouri even though economists long ago concluded subsidizing pro sports isn't worth the cost. The Kansas Legislature's top leaders endorsed helping the Chiefs and professional baseball's Kansas City Royals finance new stadiums in Kansas ahead of a special session set to convene Tuesday. But for Kansas officials, spending would at least leave Missouri and come to Kansas, and one-upping Missouri has its own allure. "They're sources of great pride," said Missouri state Rep. John Patterson, a suburban Kansas City Republican expected to be the next state House speaker. Despite the legislative push in Kansas, Missouri lawmakers aren't rushing to propose alternatives.
