Select League Match Postponed After Staley High School Pulls Field Access Over Outrageous Fee

Kansas City, MO — June 12, 2025

In a stunning reversal, Staley High School has withdrawn its agreement to host Select League matches, citing a newly imposed rental fee of $1,500 per game — a move that has left players, fans, and league officials both disappointed and outraged.

Future matches have been postponed as the League scrambles to find an alternative venue. A team in the League had previously secured verbal and logistical approval from the school to use the field for their home fixtures in the Select League, only to be told this last week that access would now come at an exorbitant cost.

💬 “We’re Paying for This Already”

Our clubs composed of local players and supported by grassroots volunteers, and the sudden fee undermines not only the League's operations but also the public trust.

“Every player, coach, and volunteer in our league is a taxpayer — these are public facilities paid for with public dollars,” said a Select League spokesperson. “Charging $1,500 per match is not reasonable access. It’s a deterrent designed to shut the community out of the very fields they fund.”

The decision also raises broader questions about how public schools manage access to athletic facilities, particularly when they are unused during scheduled match times and when users are willing to provide liability insurance and follow all required protocols.

🏫 Public Fields, Private Access?

Staley High School, part of the North Kansas City School District, operates with funding from the same local taxpayers now being excluded. While Missouri law allows districts to rent out facilities at their discretion, there is no legal requirement to make those spaces available — even if they are built and maintained with public money.

Community members are increasingly questioning whether this kind of gatekeeping is in line with the spirit of public service.

“If these fields aren’t required by law for basic education, and they’re not in use when we need them, then what justification is there for keeping us off? We’re not asking for free access — we’re asking for fair access.”

📢 Call to Action: Tell Jefferson City This Is Unacceptable

Supporters and concerned citizens are being urged to contact State Representative Mark Sharp, who represents part of Kansas City that Staley is located in and serves on the Missouri House Education Committee.

If you believe public facilities should be accessible to the public at reasonable rates, reach out to Representative Sharp and let your voice be heard:

📞 Phone: (573) 751‑0238📧 Email: Mark.Sharp@house.mo.gov

✅ What Else Can You Do?

In addition to contacting your representative, here are more steps citizens can take:

• Attend the next school board meeting for the North Kansas City School District and voice your concerns during the public comment period.

• Submit a Sunshine Law request to review field rental schedules, usage, and fee structures.

• Propose a Community Use Policy revision that guarantees access during idle hours with basic insurance and oversight requirements.

• Organize locally — community clubs, PTA groups, and civic leagues can form a united front to demand fair access.

• Start a petition calling for policy change within NKCSD or at the state level.

⚽ A Game Delayed, But a Movement Sparked

While these matches may be on hold, the fight for public access to public space is gaining traction.

This isn't just about one game — it's about reclaiming community ownership over shared resources. And that’s a game worth showing up for.

(These views are of the KCAFF and the Select League and not of any individual club. We strongly encourage taxpayers to voice their opinion on this to their local and state reps.)