As Clark Hunt takes a step into the spotlight of public attention in his new role as the chairman of the board of the Chiefs he faces an increased glare of attention from the media.

He found that out recently when the Kansas City Star reported on a meeting Hunt had with members of the Kansas City area delegation at the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City. The Star report left the decided impression that Hunt told legislators that the Chiefs would leave Kansas City if improvements were not made at Arrowhead Stadium.

This was just another case where the written word did not match the actual event.

“I was asked a question whether the teams would be willing to stay at the sports complex whether renovation ever happened in the future,” Hunt said. “I tried to express to the person asking the question that it wasn’t logical to stay in a stadium that is literally going to start falling apart here in the next few years. The team does have other options, and those options are in the metropolitan area in Kansas City.

“I think people took those comments to mean the team would move out of the market and that wasn’t the case at all.”

Understand this Chiefs fans: the second generation of the Hunt family is not plotting to move the team out of the Kansas City area. “I can’t remember it even being discussed,” said Clark.

So pervasive are the conspiracy theorists these days that the open NFL situation in Los Angeles was connected to this threat of a move because Clark Hunt once lived in Los Angeles when he was working for Goldman Sachs several years ago.

But Clark has made it very plain to anyone seeking the real meaning of his words in Jeff City that the Hunt family is committed to working with Jackson County in hopes of a major renovation at Arrowhead. They hope for something along the lines of what was done with Lambeau Field in Green Bay where the inside bowl of the stadium was relatively untouched, while major changes were made outside with better amenities, wider concourses.

“That’s a historic place and it’s a wonderful example of what can be done in preserving a special atmosphere,” said Hunt. “Arrowhead is a special place for the players and coaches who play there and most importantly it’s a special place for the fans that have helped create the wonderful home field advantage that the Chiefs enjoy in Arrowhead.

“We are really focused on trying to find a way to stay in Jackson County long-term. I think a renovated Arrowhead is the best option. It would only make sense for the county and we would be delighted to extend our lease for another 20 plus years if we were able to work out the right kind of package and plan in making those renovations.

“I think there is a model that has worked successfully in other cities, whether brand new stadiums or stadiums that undergo a significant renovation, of a public and private partnership. We are committed to implementing a similar kind of partnership in Jackson County and are willing to commit substantial dollars to make that happen.”

But the Chiefs are not going to sit still while Jackson County and the state of Missouri struggle to come up with ways to meet the requirements of the lease, let alone a renovation. Hunt and other team officials will meet with representatives from the state of Kansas in the near future to talk about options across the state line.

“Thirty years ago it may not have been realistic for the Kansas side of the state line to support a professional sports team,” Clark Hunt said. “That’s changed in recent years.”

Right now, there are far more questions than answers when it comes to the stadium situation. But Clark Hunt remains hopeful that it will all fall together for a revamped Arrowhead Stadium.

“Kansas City has been very good to the Chiefs and the Chiefs I think have been very important to Kansas City,” he said. “We want that to continue.”

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GRETZ: Clark Hunt: Part 1