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SportsBeat KCKC Chiefs’ high-stakes game vs. Broncos & crushing end to Current’s seasonNot often in the Patrick Mahomes era have the Chiefs looked up in the AFC West standing this late in the season. But here they are in third place with a 5-4 record, making Sunday’s game at the first-place Denver Broncos critical to their division chances.On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell discuss the game and what it will take for the Chiefs to capture a 10th straight AFC West title — and if rookie left tackle Josh Simmons returns this week, how much should he play?Also, Star socc...
2025-11-1135 min
SportsBeat KCWhat went wrong in KC’s loss to Bills? Breaking down Chiefs at halfway pointThe Chiefs have crossed the halfway point of their schedule, and if the season ended today they wouldn’t be in the playoffs. It’s a strange place to be for the team that’s played in five of the last six Super Bowls.
On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Star columnist Sam McDowell shares his thoughts on where thing stand with the Chiefs, starting with Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The sequence at the end of the first half in which the Chiefs settled for a field goal fro...
2025-11-0431 minSportsBeat KCInside huge Chiefs game on the horizon, plus impact of college coaching shakeupThe Chiefs keep rolling. They polished off the Washington Commanders 28-7 on Monday Night Football for their third straight victory and fifth in the last six games. It also sets them up nicely for a showdown on the road Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the triumph and look ahead to Sunday’s huge game against the Buffalo Bills.
After a break, we discuss the big events in college fo...
2025-10-2833 minSportsBeat KCChiefs impressive in victory, and look who they welcome backThe Chiefs delivered their best performance of the season by defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes played like an MVP, and we know what looks like. The Chiefs defense held the Lions to less than half of their scoring total, and they got a solid performance from a new starter, left tackle Jaylon Moore.
Columnist Sam McDowell Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney break it down on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR and looking ahead to the long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who comes off...
2025-10-1426 minSportsBeat KCHow Chiefs’ roller coaster game ended in a crash, plus a World Cup updateThe Chiefs had control of their Monday Night Football game at Jacksonville, then lost it, regained it, and finally went down to defeat. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what went wrong in the crushing 31-28 loss.
In other topics, the FIFA World Cup in North America is ninth months away, and Kansas City will be part of the action. What progress has been made? KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer provides a snapshot of what’s been happening, and what needs to happen as Kansas Ci...
2025-10-0724 minSportsBeat KCWhy Chiefs changed approach to final tune up, and Kansas teams open college football seasonThings are a little different as the Chiefs prepare for their third and final preseason game. In most years, reserves would get first-team snaps in practice. But this year, Andy Reid said he’ll play starters like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones to open Friday’s game at home against the Chicago Bears.
On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the change, and where the focus will be with the regular season opener two weeks away.
Also, college football season opens this weekend and Kansas school...
2025-08-2035 minSportsBeat KCWhat to make of Chiefs’ stadium ambitions in Kansas: PodcastThe future homes of the Chiefs and Royals is becoming a Border War. Missouri and Kansas have come up with incentives to build stadiums, or renovate Arrowhead for the Chiefs.
The latest development: A letter from Chiefs President Mark Donovan asking Kansas to extend the deadline beyond June 30 for STAR bonds that would be used to pay for up to 70 percent of stadium projects.
“Together,” Donovan write, “we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed...
2025-07-0139 minSportsBeat KCHow Kansas City roots shaped the career of golfing legend Tom WatsonFrom the late 1970s into the 1980, Tom Watson dominated golf. Five British Open championships among his eight major titles and 39 PGA Tour titles -- not to mention six major titles on the Champions Tour -- rank him among the game’s greatest ever.And he’s Kansas City’s own. Born and raised here, Watson has always called Kansas City home. In a conversation with The Star, Watson emphasized his local roots and explained how being from the Heartland could be an advantage on the Tour.He covers a range of topics on SportsBeat KC, The St...
2024-06-2849 minSportsBeat KCHow Kansas State’s Bat Cats found themselves one big weekend away from OmahaOnly 16 teams remain in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, and one of them is Kansas State. For the second time in program history the Wildcats have reached the Super Regional. Find a way to win twice at Virginia this weekend and K-State’s Bat Cats will play at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., for the first time.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how Kansas State reached this point Hint: It started when Coach Pete Hughes started putting together this season’s schedule.Also on the sh...
2024-06-0434 minSportsBeat KCHow the 2014 Royals re-energized baseball in Kansas CityIn 2014, the Royals were scuffling around the All-Star break, falling a couple of games under .500 and looking like the postseason drought, nearing three decades, would continue. But the Royals put together a sizzling second half and qualified for the playoffs.There, they made history, becoming the first team to win the first eight games of a postseason. The quest reached Game 7 of the World Series, where the Royals fell short to the San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner.Last week, many of the players and coaches from 2014 returned to Kansas City for a reunion and...
2024-05-2246 minSportsBeat KCHow Lionel Messi lived up to the billing in Kansas City visitQuite the soccer scene in Kansas City last weekend. Sporting Kansas City took on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before more than 72,000 last weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, and Messi’s performance lived up the hype in Miami’s 3-2 victory.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian look back at the event and what it means for a stadium and region that will host World Cup games in two years.Also, you’ll from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, who opened his postmatch press conference by remarkin...
2024-04-1629 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: A Chiefs breakdown & former Broncos star Chris Harris wants to see betterThe Kansas City Chiefs aren’t exactly pulverizing opponents, but they keep finding ways to win. The Chiefs look to make it five straight when the Denver Broncos visit on Thursday Night Football.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell, discuss what’s working for the Chiefs and where improvements can be made. We look ahead to the Broncos, who are off to an awful start at 1-4 and having major issues on defense.Also, former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., joins SportsBeat KC for a conversation. An All-Pro and four-t...
2023-10-1132 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Star columnists cover Chiefs, soccer, White House visits & new KC airportWith DeAndre Hopkins on the market, how set are the Chiefs at wide receiver with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, Rashee Rice and other candidates? The Chiefs would need to clear cap space to sign the three-time All-Pro, but should they?On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, the columnists share their thoughts on the Chiefs and all things sports in Kansas City. Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss White House visits for KC teams, Sporting Kansas City’s resurgence, the KC Current’s new coach.And, as frequent...
2023-05-3142 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: How FIFA World Cup 2026 and Kansas City can work for each otherThree years before the games come to Kansas City, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has new logos, a board of directors and some money earmarked from state and city governments. This was part of a press conference at GEHA Field at Arrowhead that included Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.Perhaps the biggest reveal of the event came from Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, who said the city will issue request for proposals on improving transportation from downtown to the airport and the Truman Sports Complex.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s da...
2023-05-1824 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Kansas State makes a bold statement with Chris Klieman’s new contractDid Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman sign a coach-for-life contract? Eight years, $44 million is about as long-term as it can get, and with the Wildcats becoming off a Big 12 championship season it seems like a bargain for the Wildcats.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down the deal and discusses not only the contract terms but where it ranks among Big 12 coaches and the statement Kansas State and Klieman made with the agreement.Also, Robinett provides the latest on the men’s basketball transfer portal...
2023-05-1631 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Star writers drill down on Chiefs’ NFL Draft performance...and Kansas City’sThis week on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we’ve heard from Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt, general manager Brett Veach, and Kansas City Sports Commission president Kathy Nelson about the NFL Draft in Kansas City.Now, let’s hear from The Star’s Chiefs coverage crew. Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian along with beat writer Jesse Newell share their thoughts on the Chiefs’ strategy and suggest how the rookie class might fare this season. It has a big task ahead if it’s to top last year’s rookie class success.After a brea...
2023-05-0341 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Sizing up the NFL Draft in Kansas City and the Chiefs haul, plus Dante HallThe NFL Draft in Kansas City has passed and evaluations begin. The early returns are positive for the Chiefs, who added seven newcomers to the roster, and for Kansas City. The area entertained an estimated 300,000 fans at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.The Chiefs and the NFL Draft are the topics on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. First, you’ll hear from Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. He met with reporters on Friday, before the second and third rounds, and touched on several topics, including Patrick Mahomes’ contract and the re...
2023-05-0142 minSportsBeat KCFast times for Chiefs, Kansas City; slow starts for Royals, KC soccer teams | PodcastPlaying host to the NFL Draft is a process that started several years ago, and now we’re one day away from the start of the big show.On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell and reporter Pete Grathoff weigh on the event and what it means for Kansas City.It’s also a big weekend for the Chiefs. The Super Bowl champs used last year’s draft to fortify a roster that won the Super Bowl. We discuss their possible first-round direction as they en...
2023-04-2645 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Bill comes due for Kansas State success and ‘Cats will happily pay priceThe price for success in college sports can be expressed through coaches contracts. Kansas State is happily in the process of paying that price.After a football season led by Chris Klieman that included the first Big 12 championship in a decade, and a men’s basketball season that had the Wildcats, picked last in the conference, that extended to the Elite Eight under first-year coach Jerome Tang, it’s time for K-State to show its gratitude.Klieman and Tang are in line for extensions and raises that should lift them into the upper half of Big...
2023-04-1933 minSportsBeat KCSBKC podcast: NCAA regional final weekend had it all, except a Kansas State victorySo many twists and turns on the way to the Final Four. It’s enough to make you dizzy. But that’s what makes March Madness the spectacle that it is.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we review the regional championship weekend that produced the Final Four field of Florida Atlantic, Connecticut, San Diego State and Miami, Fla. The title games produced remarkable drama, upsets and three newcomers to the Final Four–all but UConn.Also, there are three first-timers playing in the Final Four for the first time since 1970, and this marks the first ti...
2023-03-2724 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Kansas’ NCAA title defense filled with obstacles in West, not Midwest pathKansas starts defense of its NCAA Tournament championship on a similar spot on the bracket, as a No. 1 seed. But the Jayhawks start the quest from the West instead of the Midwest Region.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha discuss all things KU from the health of Coach Bill Self, who missed the Big 12 tournament with a cardiac episode, to the availability of defensive standout Kevin McCullar to how the team displayed superb and disappointing play in Kansas City last weekend.Also, just how did Kansas, with the best re...
2023-03-1334 minSportsBeat KCWhat awaits top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks at Big 12 tournament? A loaded field: PodcastKansas enters the Big 12 men’s tournament as the top seed as the first-place finisher of the regular season, but the Jayhawks will have a difficult path if they’re to repeat as champion.It’s possible for KU and many other teams in the field to meet only opponents that NCAA Tournament bound this week at T-Mobile Center. That’s how good the Big 12 was this year.Kansas enters the event coming off a loss at Texas, the tournament’s No. 2 seed. The Jayhawks will open the tournament on Thursday at 2 p.m., against the winner...
2023-03-0832 minSportsBeat KCHear Jerome Tang’s message to Kansas State fansThe Sunflower Showdown, Part I, is tonight when Kansas visits Kansas State and it’s everything you’d want in a Big 12 game: a pair of ranked teams–KU is No. 2, K-State No. 13–ESPN coverage, what should be incredible atmosphere.Speaking of atmosphere, first-year Wildcats Coach Jerome Tang would like to see things toned down a bit at Bramlage Coliseum. Show love for Kansas State more than hate for Kansas, is the message.You’ll hear that suggestion on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writer Kellis Robinett. We also discuss a game that could loom large i...
2023-01-1733 minSportsBeat KCOne of the next stops for World Cup, Kansas CityMoments after Argentina’s game-winning penalty kick hit the back of the net to defeat France in the World Cup final, thoughts turned to the next World Cup, the 2026 event to be held in 16 North American cities, including Kansas City.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell sat down with three Kansas City officials who attended the World Cup in Qatar: Kansas City Sports Commission and VisitKC president Kathy Nelson, Kansas City deputy city manager and executive director of convention and entertainment facilities of Kansas City Kimiko Gilmore, and Joe Reardon, Grea...
2022-12-2032 minSportsBeat KCRestoring the roar of the Kansas-Missouri Border WarOne of college basketball’s top rivalries–Kansas vs. Missouri–continues on Saturday, and we’re here to break it down. The current state of the programs, the history, Norm Stewart, we talk about it all on today’s SportsBeat KC.Star columnist Vahe Gregorian joins beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha to preview the game that begins at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and will be televised by ESPN.Mizzou is 9-0 under new coach Dennis Gates and roster full of transfers. Kansas, the defending NCAA champion, is ranked sixth at 8-1. The Jayhawks overwhelme...
2022-12-0929 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Tracking the amazing path of the Kansas City Current as it flows to the NWSL Championship GameThe Kansas City Current’s spot in the NWSL Championship Game is an amazing accomplishment in the moment and over the past two seasons.They had to win both playoff games on the road to reach the final on Saturday in Washington D.C. against the Portland Thorns. And it’s the second year of the team’s existence. The team has been know as the Current only this season. The franchise came together in such a hurry last year that it was known as KC NWSL.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Coach Matt Potter and star...
2022-10-2831 minSportsBeat KCPreviewing Kansas State at TCU with beat writersThis Big 12 game of the year every week is getting fun. This week it’s No. 17 Kansas State at No. 8 TCU in a game that matches the league’s two undefeated teams.Today’s SportsBeat KC might as well SportsBeat KC/DFW because we’re talking to the beat writers for both teams, Steven Johnson, who covers the Horned Frogs for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Kellis Robinett of the WIchita Eagle and Kansas City Star. He’s a long time Kansas State beat writer.They break down the game, sharing their thoughts on what’s happened s...
2022-10-1926 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Breaking down Kansas, Missouri, Kansas State gamesCollege football’s biggest party comes to Lawrence on Saturday.ESPN’s GameDay crew will set up shop near Memorial Stadium for the first time (for football, that is — the show’s been to Lawrence 10 times for hoops) because the Kansas Jayhawks are one of the nation’s biggest surprises. The No. 19-ranked KU team takes on No. 17 TCU at 11 a.m. Saturday.In today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, KU beat writer Gary Bedore discusses the Jayhawks’ remarkable start amid a level of hype and hoopla that’s usually reserved for KU’s big men’s...
2022-10-0535 minSportsBeat KCPodcast: Next season begins soon for Sporting KC; postseason soon for Kansas City CurrentSporting Kansas City knows when its season ends and that’s a strange thing. SInce 2011, the year of the team’s rebrand from Wizards to SKC, the team missed the playoffs once. Now, it’s twice No postseason for Coach Peter Vermes’ club, and on today’s SportsBeat KC, Star soccer writer Daniel Sperry discusses how that happened and the decisions in store for the club.After a break, we switch to the area’s other professional soccer team, the Kansas City Current. In an amazing turnaround, the Current has clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs. The team and...
2022-09-3033 minSportsBeat KCWeek 2 of the NFL season brings us one of the biggest matchups we’ll see all season: L.A. Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs in prime-time from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.Can a Week 2 game be season-defining? It can when it’s the six-time AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs playing host to what many believe is the top challenger in the Los Angeles Chargers.It’s been a crazy series recently. The home team has lost the last four meetings and seven of the last eight in the series (with one game played in Mexico City).On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell join columnist Sam McDowell to break down the game from a Chiefs’ angle. What does Kansas City need to...
2022-09-1447 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC podcast: Remembering Len Dawson, a Kansas City iconLen Dawson came to Kansas City in 1963 and soon became a sports hero. And when he was finished playing for the Chiefs, he spent decades talking about them from the broadcast booth.Dawson’s death at age 87 was announced on Wednesday by the family. On today’s show, columnist Vahe Gregorian, who conducted one of the final, lengthy interviews with Dawson, shares his memories of that day and discusses the impact of Dawson on the community and sports scene.After a break, you hear two interviews of Dawson conducted by The Star, one in 2009 the othe...
2022-08-2434 minSportsBeat KCFIFA World Cup 2026 next steps now Kansas City’s focus: SportsBeat KC podcastKansas City will host games in the world’s largest sporting event, the World Cup. Amazing.Dozens of U.S. cities wanted in, 11 were selected. With three in Mexico and two in Canada as part of the joint North American event, Kansas City is the smallest of the 16, in terms of metropolitan-area population. But no city worked longer and harder to land these World Cup matches.On today’s episode of the SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the news more deeply with host Blair Kerkhoff. How did Kansas City beat...
2022-06-1738 minSportsBeat KCHere’s what Kansas City would bring to World Cup if it’s selected as a host: PodcastAs FIFA prepares to announce the U.S. cities that will be the site of 2026 World Cup games, Kansas City has its fingers crossed. We’re one of 16 spots in the running to be host cities. Ten or 11 will be selected.Will Kansas City make the cut? On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, columnist Vahe Gregorian and soccer writer Daniel Sperry break down the strengths and weaknesses of Kansas City as a bid candidate. Arrowhead Stadium and other facilities and the region’s soccer culture are seen as pluses.Market size would seem to work agains...
2022-06-1538 minSportsBeat KCWhen does the future become present for the Kansas City Royals? SportsBeat KC podcastThe Kansas City Royals have bottomed out, at least in the standings. They join the Cincinnati Reds as the owner of baseball’s worst record at 16-31 headed into Tuesday night’s game at Cleveland.The only way to go is up, right?But what does that look like, and when does the future become the present?We discussed the Royals season on SportsBeat Live with beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian. Listen to it on today’s podcast.Royals records in May2022: 9-19 (one ga...
2022-05-3132 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Getting up to date on some Kansas Jayhawks past, present and futureThe NCAA championship remains fresh in the memory for Kansas but the next season has arrived. The roster is taking shape with decisions by players to turn pro and others through the transfer portal.On today’s SportsBeat KC, KU beat writer Gary Bedore provides the updates on players like Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson, plus the status of transfer targets like Tyrese Hunter and Kevin McCullar. Spoiler alert: One has committed to the Jayhawks.Also: KU players in the NBA playoffs, look who graduated and more.Story links:Kansas Jayhawks’ Bill...
2022-05-2034 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Want to bet Chiefs, Royals, Jayhawks, Tigers, Wildcats? Soon you can...in KansasWant to bet on Patrick Mahomes’ touchdown pass total in a game, or Kansas State-Oklahoma football, or Kansas basketball against Duke in the Champions Classic?You won’t have to leave Kansas to do that now that sports betting was signed into law last week by Gov. Laura Kelly. Now, Kansas is one of 30 states with legal sports wagering. It will take a few weeks, perhaps months to get it up and running but soon Kansans won’t have to travel to another state to make a wager.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jesse Ne...
2022-05-1838 minSportsBeat KCSunday NASCAR Cup event at Kansas Speedway is anyone’s race: SportsBeat KC podcastIt’s racing weekend in Kansas City, and Kansas Speedway will be the site of three races: the Dutch Boy 150 ARCA race and Heart of America 200 trucks run on Saturday and NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 on Sunday.It’s the first time since 2019 that a scheduled spring-racing event at Kansas Speedway will not be directly affected by the pandemic.On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we chat with veteran sportswriter Randy Covitz, who has covered every Cup race at Kansas since the track’s inaugural season in 2001. He previews Sunday’s marquee ra...
2022-05-1131 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC podcast: Get to know Chiefs’ rookie class & The Star’s new beat writerChiefs rookie mini-camp came to a conclusion on Monday and we got to know the team’s draft class and first-year players a little better.On today’s SportsBeat KC, we’ll hear from drafted players Jaylen Watson, a cornerback from Washington State, running back Isiah Pacheco from Rutgers and wide receiver Skyy Moore from Western Michigan. They flashed their personalities, especially when discussing their feelings about Mother’s Day.The show kicks off with another newcomer to the Chiefs, beat writer Jesse Newell. He takes over on the Chiefs beat after covering the University of Kansa...
2022-05-0930 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: What Clark Hunt had to say about Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead’s futureDuring last weekend’s NFL Draft, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt took questions from reporters about a range of topics like where he and the Chiefs stand on stadium issues, the 2023 NFL Draft coming to Kansas City, the prospect of legalized sports wagering in Missouri and Kansas, and the chance of Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium landing World Cup games.You’ll hear his session with reporters here. Star columnist Vahe Gregorian joined SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in something of a post-game analysis. The Chiefs’ future home received the most attention. Hunt spoke to remaining in Arr...
2022-05-0436 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Trying to talk our way into some Kansas City Royals victoriesOn Monday, the Royals got an excellent outing from Zach Greinke, and there won’t be many better defensive plays than the home run robbing grab by center fielder Michael A. Taylor. But they didn’t add up to a Royals victory.The 1-0 loss at St. Louis was the Royals’ fourth straight and dropped them seven games below .500. Three times this year, the Royals have lost at least four straight, and the season is only 21 games old.Where to begin the fix? Star writers Vahe Gregorian, Lynn Worthy and Pete Grathoff took their shots at ans...
2022-05-0339 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Chiefs grades didn’t need a curve & why Watson, Brett continue ALS causeThat wasn’t a draft but a full gust of wind that blew over the Chiefs last weekend. At least that’s the take from beat writer Herbie Teope and several NFL writers who covered the NFL Draft. By nearly all accounts the draft couldn’t have gone much better for the Chiefs.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Teope discusses what general manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs staff accomplished and when the 10 drafted players figure to make an impact.After a break, we switch gears and talk about a special annual event that took pla...
2022-05-0227 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: How the Kansas Jayhawks spent their first week as NCAA championsA week ago today, Kansas defeated North Carolina to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. What’s happened since then for the Jayhawks? Plenty of celebration, like Sunday’s parade in Lawrence, the announcement of a barnstorming tour and continued speculation about next season, including a timeline for learning of potential NCAA penalties.All of those topics and more are discussed on today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast with beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell. After the Jayhawks’ first week as national champions, it’s time to look ahead to who might be retur...
2022-04-1131 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: How the Bill Self-Jay Wright KU-Nova matchup has produced elite resultsTeams coached by Kansas’ Bill Self and Villanova’s Jay Wright have met in the NCAA Tournament three times. And the winner always went on to win the national championship.Will that be the case a fourth time? The Jayhawks and Wildcats face off in Saturday’s first Final Four semifinal, with the winner facing the survivor of a showdown between Duke and North Carolina — they play after KU-Nova — for the national championship.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, you’ll hear from Self and Wright, who took the podium Thursday at the Final Four in New Orleans...
2022-04-0145 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Kansas Jayhawks are Final Four bound after near perfect second halfNext top for Kansas, the Final Four.The Jayhawks ran away from Miami, Fla., 76-60 on Sunday to capture the Midwest Region championship and advance to the Final Four for the 16th time in program history. Villanova awaits in the semifinal Saturday in New Orleans.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell break down the Kansas effort, when they outscored the Hurricanes by 32 points in the second half. Remy Martin was voted the region’s most outstanding player but several had a hand in helping the Jayhawks overcome a six-point half...
2022-03-2832 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: How ‘Stank ‘em’ the monkey relates to Kansas Jayhawks’ tournament runKansas hasn’t played in the Sweet 16 since its Final Four run in 2018. The last time the Jayhawks endured a streak that long was 1998-2000, and the next season, then-coach Roy Williams brought a good-luck charm to the news conference: a stuffed monkey named “Stank ‘em.” Williams put the monkey on his back and the players swatted it off. Get the monkey off his back, get it?No stuffed animal helped Kansas end its most recent Sweet 16 “drought,” which lasted all of two Tournaments (the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic). Beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore...
2022-03-2134 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Kansas Jayhawks’ next NCAA tourney opponent is Creighton... and KentuckyThe first day of the NCAA Tournament produced four victories by double-digit seeds, including the shocker: No. 15 seed St. Peter’s over Kentucky.Kansas avoided any such upset. The top-seeded Jayhawks rolled past Texas Southern.Now KU faces a second-round task against Creighton, which defeated San Diego State in overtime Thursday. In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, KU beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore discuss Kansas’ prospects in Round 2.Also, there’s the matter of college basketball’s all-time victories list. The Jayhawks entered the tournament two wins behin...
2022-03-1833 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: How will new additions Zack Greinke and Amir Garrett help the Royals?Zack Greinke spent his first seven major league seasons with the Royals, the team that drafted and developed him, and now he’ll be in Kansas City for season No. 19.The Royals signed Greinke to a one-year, $13 million deal this week, but that wasn’t the team’s only mound move. They also traded starter Mike Minor to the Cincinnati Reds for reliever Amir Garrett.How will this moves impact the Royals? Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break it down on SportsBeat KC, the Kansas City Star’s sports podcast. The show started as a Roy...
2022-03-1736 minSportsBeat KCWe discuss what went wrong for Kansas City Chiefs in loss at CincinnatiThe Kansas City Star’s coverage team of Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell, and special guests Jesse Newell and Lila Bromberg broke down the Chiefs’ 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals after the game on Sunday afternoon.Story links:KC Chiefs lose control of AFC seeding: What happened in Sunday’s loss at the Bengals?KC Chiefs’ report card vs. Bengals: This specific aspect doomed Kansas City on SundayFive things that stood out about the Kansas City Chiefs’ road loss to the BengalsKC Chiefs had a chance t...
2022-01-0333 minSportsBeat KCIt’s win or stay home for Sporting Kansas City as MLS playoffs beginA long regular season begins its final chapter on Saturday when Sporting Kansas City plays host to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Playoffs.Sporting went 9-3-5 in regular-season games at home this season and scored the second-most goals in Major League Soccer (58). But now it’s one and done in the single-elimination tournament.On today’s episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin tell us what it’s going to take for Sporting to beat one of the league’s hottest teams. Vancouver defeated Sporting in the sides’ las...
2021-11-2031 minSportsBeat KCThe deeper meaning of Kansas’ football victory over TexasWhy would anyone have anticipated Kansas, a 31-point underdog last weekend at Texas, ending its 56-game conference losing streak in Austin? The last time KU won a league game, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas A&M were in the conference. West Virginia and TCU weren’t.But it happened. Kansas prevailed 57-56 in overtime with the winning two-point conversation scored on a reception from Jalon Daniels by a third-string redshirt freshman walk-on Jared Casey of Plainville, Kan. Saturday marked his first offensive snaps of his career.The national narrative centered on Texas losing, but this wa...
2021-11-1633 minSportsBeat KCKansas State off the mat with league victory. Now, it’s Mizzou’s turnKansas State claimed its first conference victory last week. Missouri looks to break into the victory column on Sunday.The Wildcats rallied from a two touchdown deficit to win at Texas Tech, and a defensive play sparked the comeback when Felix Anudike-Uzomah, from Lee’s Summit, produced a safety. Beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses all things Wildcats on today’s SportsBeat KC.Mizzou is coming off an open week and heads to Vanderbilt in a battle of teams winless in SEC play. Can the Tigers break through and avoid the upset loss in Nashville (It happ...
2021-10-2927 minSportsBeat KCHow will Patrick Mahomes respond to worst game of his NFL career?The Chiefs have to hope they bottomed out in last week’s lost at Tennessee. Patrick Mahomes had probably his worst game as a pro — his first in the regular season in which his team didn’t score a single touchdown.On today’s episode of our daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, we focus on the Chiefs and Mahomes with Kansas City Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell. The big question: What are the main problems and how can they be fixed?Story links:Woeful K...
2021-10-2837 minSportsBeat KCSporting Kansas City “body slams” way to big victory, advances in MLS raceSporting Kansas City picked up a huge victory at Seattle on Saturday, a game so intense there was a body slam—and no red card. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin breaks down the game that was decided on a goal by Johnny Russell.After a break, we talk KC NWSL. Although the team will finish in last place in its inaugural season, Woso turned Legends Park into a true home field advantage and ran its unbeaten streak there to seven games with one remaining.The podcast was recorded before the anno...
2021-10-2629 minSportsBeat KCA downtown ballpark for Kansas City to replace Kauffman Stadium? Let’s talk about itA downtown stadium for the Royals is now a front burner issue. John Sherman, who leads the Royals ownership group, went public with the idea last month, and now it’s out there for everyone to consider.Where would it be built? How much would it cost and who gets the tab? What becomes of Kauffman Stadium, and does the popular Royals ballpark even need to be replaced?Those questions and more are explored in a Kansas City Star series of stories by columnist Sam Mellnger, beat writer Lynn Worthy and reporter Blair Kerkhoff and in...
2021-10-1736 minSportsBeat KCReady or not, Kansas City’s World Cup bid is on deckSporting Kansas City, KC NWSL, the U.S. Men’s National Team, Kansas City’s 2026 World Cup bid, we talk about it all on today’s SportsBeat KC with The Star’s soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin.The women’s team is coming off one of its best results of the season, a scoreless draw with Portland. They continue their excellent play at Legends Field. Sporting KC looks to stay in the hunt for the MLS Western Conference title. The U.S. men’s national team is in action tonight, and is the World Cup coming to Kansas City? Peter...
2021-10-1341 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: The more Kansas City Chiefs’ starting defense plays the better it looksThe Chiefs returned from Arizona with a victory in their second preseason game, a contest where the starters played well into the second quarter. The defense was terrific for a second straight game. The starting offense put together two long drives against the Cardinals’ starter but managed only three points. No cause for concern.But there’s plenty to discuss when it comes to personnel. What will the Chiefs do at wide receiver, tight end and other positions. Roster decisions will soon have to be made and the Chiefs have many quality candidates at several positions. On toda...
2021-08-2332 min
SportsBeat KCAnother goal for Daniel Salloi, and Adrianna Franch comes home to KansasDaniel Salloi continued his magical season Wednesday evening with another goal. This one, in extra time, enabled Sporting Kansas City to salvage a draw against the visiting Portland Timbers. We asked soccer writer Shaun Goodwin where he would’ve placed Salloi on a list of preseason MVP candidates.Also in this episode of SportsBeat KC, our daily sports pod: KC NWSL won its first game, then traded away its goalkeeper. Abby Smith was sent to Portland, and in comes Adrianna Franch, the Salina, Kansas native who started for the USWNT in the squad’s Olympic bronze-medal victory this...
2021-08-2027 minSportsBeat KCGoing inside Kansas City’s bid for the 2026 World CupDuring this period of international soccer action — Euro, Copa, Gold Cup and more — the biggest world event was a conversation topic in Kansas City on Monday.The city’s bid be a host site for the 2026 World Cup got a lead image as the KC2026 Bid Committee partnered with OUTFRONT Media to create a wallscape that measures 90 x 90 feel on the north-facing side of the building at 1627 Main Street.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Sporting Kansas City director of marketing Aaron Borns and Kansas City Sports Commission president and CEO Kathy Nelson take us inside Kansas C...
2021-07-1226 min
SportsBeat KCHow Kansas basketball got better this week without adding any playersThe Kansas Jayhawks didn’t add a new player to their basketball roster over the past week, they simply kept the ones who were eligible to return. And those players could push KU to a preseason No. 1 ranking.The latest to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft consideration are Ochai Agbaji and Arizona State transfer Remy Martin. Late last week, Jalen Wilson made the same decision.The conclusion: KU will be loaded for 2021-22.On today’s episide of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary B...
2021-07-0731 minSportsBeat KCKansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski feels pressure and joy of coaching USWNTEvery time he pulls on a USA shirt, U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovksi feels pressure. He wouldn’t have it any other way.Andonovski is preparing the national women’s soccer team for the Olympics next month in Tokyo, a competition the U.S. is favored to win. That’s the case no matter the event, but the stakes are higher for the two-time defending World Cup champions. In the previous Olympics, the U.S. didn’t reach the podium.Andonovski, who calls Kansas City home and coach’s the city’s former NWSL...
2021-06-2838 minSportsBeat KCEight is enough as Kansas City Royals look for answers to halt skidMaybe the day off is what the Royals need. They return to action tonight at Detroit in hopes of ending a losing streak made more painful because of where the team stood before the skid: In first place in the AL Central and with baseball’s top winning percentage.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the malaise with host Blair Kerkhoff in a show that started as a SportsBeat Live. The conclusions: There are no quick fixes or new personnel moves that are going to change fortunes. The Royals must find a away...
2021-05-1139 minSportsBeat KCWhy this Kansas Jayhawks football hire can work better than othersThe Kansas football program now belongs to Lance Leipold. He’s the fifth head coach in a dozen year and his task is a daunting one, turning around a program that hasn’t won more than three games in a season since 2009.On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from Leipold at his introductory news conference and from KU beat writer Gary Bedore, who has covered the Jayhawks for more than three decades. Is Leipold the guy who can turn things around in Lawrence?Also, no conversation with Bedore would be complete without updates on Kansa...
2021-05-0631 min
SportsBeat KCSporting Kansas City opens 2021 season with goalkeeper making debutSporting Kansas City opens its 2021 season Saturday at the New York Red Bulls, and the team will be without regular goalkeeper Tim Melia. In steps 19-year-old John Pulskamp, making his MLS debut.Soccer writer Shaun Goodwin and Aly Trost, WHB Sports Radio 810 host and reporter, break down this development and other aspects of the game in this episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, with host Blair Kerkhoff.After a break, the topic turns to the KC NWSL, which made its debut a week ago with a loss to the Portland Thorns in...
2021-04-1623 minSportsBeat KCBasketball roster continues to churn at Kansas, even on the staffThe Kansas basketball roster could be in extreme makeover mode. With NBA Draft declarations and the transfer portal, the churn continues.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell tell us where things stand with Kansas and that includes on the coaching staff after assistant Jerrance Howard left for Texas..Also, the first big task for new athletic director Travis Goff is evaluating the football program and making a call on the coach.Story links:Kansas’ Jalen Wilson declares for 2021 NBA Draft. He could still return to scho...
2021-04-1232 min
SportsBeat KCTalking Roy Williams’ years at Kansas with a writer there from beginningRoy Williams started his head coaching career at Kansas in 1988 and once said that he wasn’t a household name even in his own household. It turned out to be one of the greatest hires in college sports history.Williams remained at KU for 15 years, winning nine conference titles and taking the Jayhawks to four Final Fours. He added five more Final Fours and three NCAA titles at North Carolina, where he spent the next 18 seasons before announcing his retirement on Thursday.Beat writer Gary Bedore covered all of Williams’ teams at Kansas. SportsBeat KC host...
2021-04-0236 minSportsBeat KCSoccer ramp-up accelerates for not one but two Kansas City teamsSoccer training is on its final days and Kansas City once again will have two teams in action. Sporting Kansas City is on a mission to repeat as MLS Western Conference champs. KC NWSL is the women’s team that returns to the region. The team formerly known as FCKC left Kansas City in 2017.The women will open next week. The men’s first game is April 17, and beat writer Shaun Goodwin is back to discuss all things soccer. There is also a rant about the United States’ failure to qualify for the Olympic Games. Sporting Coach Peter...
2021-04-0131 minSportsBeat KCSifting through the rubble of Kansas’ history-making NCAA Tournament lossWhat was that from Kansas in the NCAA Tournament?On today’s SportsBeat KC beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore provide the autopsy for one of the ugliest losses in KU history, a 34-point pounding from Southern California in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.Also we take a first look ahead for the Jayhawks with roster guesses and what might happen with the NCAA investigation.Here’s how it all went wrong for Kansas.Story links:Here’s what should sting Kansas most after NCAA Tournament loss t...
2021-03-2335 minSportsBeat KCAfter biggest victory of the season, what’s next for Kansas?What a night for Kansas. The Jayhawks played host to second-ranked Baylor on Saturday at rolled 71-58 behind big games from guard Marcus Garrett and big man David McCormack.The Jayhawks became the first Big 12 team to finish their conference schedule, so what’s ahead for KU before postseason play? Beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore break it down on today’s SportsBeat KC.One thing’s for sure. Kansas is playing its best basketball of the season at the right time.Story links:KU Jayhawks complete Big 12 season. Self hopes...
2021-03-0132 minSportsBeat KCSportsBeat KC: Honoring and remembering our friend and colleague, Terez A. PaylorOn today’s SportsBeat KC, we remember Terez Paylor, The Kansas City Star sportswriter who left us much too soon. He died on Monday at age 37.The tributes from across the journalism world have been overwhelming, and today some of his former colleagues at The Star got together on a zoom call to recall what we loved and admired about Terez.You’ll hear from Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Blair Kerkhoff. We could have talked to dozens more who worked with Terez during his 12 years at The Star or three year...
2021-02-1037 min
SportsBeat KCHuge turnarounds by game — and in game — for Kansas, K-State, MizzouThis week, Kansas made a 54-point turnaround between Big 12 games. Missouri had a 29-point reversal in the same game.Kansas State? Just looking for a victory.College basketball is the topic on this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast with host Blair Kerkhoff. Beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell (Kansas), Souichi Terada (Missouri) and Kellis Robinett (Kansas State) share updates and analysis about the teams.Story links:KU’s Bill Self pleased with fluid offense in TCU game. “I thought we shared it.”Self found a Devon Dodson...
2021-01-0836 minSportsBeat KCBetting lines say Oklahoma schools dust off Kansas counterparts. Agree?The Kansas schools in the BIg 12 take on their Oklahoma counterparts Saturday, and based on betting lines, the Sunflower State programs could be in trouble. According to Vegasinsider.com, the Wildcats are 12 1/2-point underdogs at home to Oklahoma State and the Jayhawks are 38-point underdogs at Oklahoma.Beat writers Kellis Robinett and Gary Bedore talk K-State and KU on this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, with host Blair Kerkhoff. What happened to the Wildcats at West Virginia last weekend, and with nearly every team having played more than half their conference games, wh...
2020-11-0635 minSportsBeat KCThe analytics guy who stands at the intersection of sports and politicsKansas City Star sportswriter Jesse Newell assumed a temporary assignment covering the local political landscape through the elections. And he’s heard from the “stick to sports” crowd. When he eventually returns to sports journalism, covering the Kansas Jayhawks, he figures he’ll get a few “stick to politics” suggestions.For this Election Day show, Newell talks politics and sports with Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Sports and politics have crossed over plenty during the past few months,, from pro and college athletes engaging in voter-registration movements to teams like the Chiefs turning...
2020-11-0336 minSportsBeat KCQuarterback depth is being tested at K-State, Mizzou and KansasQuarterbacks are the story in college football this weekend. There could be a new starter at Kansas State. There will be a new starter at Missouri. And there’s an extra week for quarterback candidates at Kansas to heal.Beat writers Kellis Robinett, Souichi Terada and Gary Bedore cover these topics and more with Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.The Jayhawks are off this week, but K-State and Mizzou forge on as underdogs. The Wildcats visit TCU and Mizzou takes on LSU in a game originally scheduled for Baton Roug...
2020-10-0934 minSportsBeat KCFans were on their game at Children’s Mercy Park, but Sporting KC wasn’tFans clicked through the turnstiles for Kansas City’s first pro sports game since March Tuesday night, as Sporting KC played host to the Houston Dynamo at Children’s Mercy Park. Seating was limited to about 2,300 spectators, but they were loud, energetic and appreciated by coach Peter Vermes and the players.If only they were rewarded with a better result. Sporting KC fell to the Dynamo 5-2 in a game that got out of hand in the second half. “This is one of those times where you say it’s a bad day,” Vermes said. “It happens sometimes...
2020-08-2621 minSportsBeat KCEven in fewer games, KU seeks to at least match 2019 victory totalThe 2020 college football was supposed to start this weekend with a handful of games followed by the traditional full slate of games over Labor Day weekend. There won’t be a grand opening for the sport this season. But a staggered beginning with Big 12, ACC and other conferences starting Sept. 12 and SEC schools on Sept. 26.But every day there’s more news about COVID-19 on campus that makes you think a bubble is the best solution to get in a season. But teams are practicing and planning for openers. On today’s SportsBeat KC, the Kansas City Star’s...
2020-08-2532 minSportsBeat KCFirst busy weekend for KC sports; and the show goes on for Royals’ voicesWe’ve arrived at the latest opening day in baseball history. And now, the sprint is on.A 60-game regular season and the quest to land in an expanded Major League Baseball playoff bracket begins Friday night for the Kansas City Royals. On this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast you’ll hear from seven-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder Alex Gordon on what he believes is a more dangerous KC lineup this season.After a break, Royals play-by-play man Ryan Lefebvre explains how it’s all going to work in the booth this season...
2020-07-2435 minSportsBeat KCSports return to KC at Kansas Speedway but fans must wait a little longerThe Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center ended on March 11. The next major sporting event in Kansas City will happen 134 days later. The Super Start Battery 400 presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Kansas Speedway is Thursday. No fans will be in the stands for the race originally scheduled to run on May 31 but postponed because of the pandemic. But with five races over three days there will be some economic impact in the region.Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren chatted with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff about re-starting the action at the track and where the sport go...
2020-07-2123 minSportsBeat KCIs there a nickname difference between Chiefs and Redskins or Indians?A topic that had been bubbling nationally for the past week or so was disrupted in Kansas City when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension on Monday. But sports nicknames that are based in Native American heritage is back on the table.The Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians are considering changes. What kind of conversation should the Chiefs be having?Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, to discuss how we got here, what changes the Chiefs sh...
2020-07-0836 minSportsBeat KCPatrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Brett Veach talk Mahomes’ historic dealOn Monday, they bought champagne, posed for photographs and signed the paperwork. On Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes talked about the richest contract in U.S. sports history, along with head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach. SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, has the entire conversation, including a few questions at the end posed by comedian David Koechner.Mahomes speaks to why he sought to sign a lengthy deal. Veach details how the contract came together and when the process started. Reid explains what signing the quarterback who ha...
2020-07-0751 minSportsBeat KCHow The Star’s Forum on Race came together with Mathieu, Cuonzo, othersA couple of weeks ago, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and I started talking about hosting a video discussion around the subject of race in sports. We wondered if we could find some Kansas City-area sports leaders interested in joining us.Calls went out to a half-dozen people — six was our limit because of issues with technology and timing — and all six quickly responded in the affirmative. The show took place on Thursday.On today’s episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we talk about how the program came together. After a break, you’ll h...
2020-06-2655 minSportsBeat KCK-State, Clemson football teams show how bumpy the road back from COVID-19 can beCollege football workouts are under way, and it hasn’t gone well in some places.A handful of schools have reported a high number of positive tests for COVID-19, including Kansas State and Clemson. Workouts have been suspended at K-State. Beat writers Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle and Kansas City Star and Matt Connolly of The State in Columbia, S.C., talk about how the programs are dealing with the issue and what’s in store for the Wildcats and Tigers, and what it could mean for the start of the college football season.Afte...
2020-06-2225 minSportsBeat KCChiefs press conference becomes call to action with Reid, Mahomes, MathieuIt was a Chiefs press conference unlike any other. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu used nearly all of their time talking to Kansas City reporters about race and social injustice. You’ll hear all of them, and everything they had to say, here on SportsBeat KC.These folks were thrilled after winning the Super Bowl four months ago. They were just as passionate on the topics on this day. Reid’s opening statement went longer than five minutes. “Let’s make this place greater than it already is,” he said. “We have a chance to do that.”
2020-06-111h 14SportsBeat KCStanding at the intersection of sports and protestThe role of teams and high profile athletes in times of protest and unrest is the topic on today’s SportsBeat KC. Kansas City Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and Star news reporter Glenn Rice join host Blair Kerkhoff in discussing the protest scene in Kansas City and how some of the Chiefs and other teams have reacted to the developing story.Also, what was Kansas City’s response to previous moments of unrest and confrontation? Rice recalls the city in 1968 in the aftermath of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and more recently the Chiefs and city’s respon...
2020-06-0228 minSportsBeat KCDebating Kansas City sports history in listsEveryone has their list of greatest plays or moments in Kansas City sports history, or least their favorites. The Star is putting together a list that asks the question: Do you remember where you were when this play happened? It could be from a Chiefs Super Bowl, a Royals World Series, a Final Four or bowl game. But it was that moment that likely changed the outcome and led to a huge victory.The Star’s Pete Grathoff, who with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff, launched the list this week, and they’re joined by columnists Sam Mell...
2020-05-2730 minSportsBeat KCKansas Citians pull together, including teams you pull forThe Chiefs were down by 10 midway through the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl? Remember when the Royals trailed the Astros by four in the eighth inning of a playoff elimination game? Or Kansas being down nine with about two minutes remaining in the 2008 NCAA title game. The teams overcame huge challenges to prevail. Teams and the region face a different challenge today.The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has halted the games and, in some cases, championships. But athletes have remained active during the health crisis. And so have the fans of those teams. Sam Mellinger and Sam...
2020-03-2332 minSportsBeat KCA few details remain for college basketball’s final No. 1 team, KansasThe college basketball season isn’t quite over. The games are finished but the final Associated Press poll was released on Wednesday and more All-America teams will be announced. Kansas figures prominently in all of it.The Jayhawks are the final top-ranked team for the shortened 2019-20 season and players like Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson are sure to pick up more honors. Also, is there a way for Kansas to win a trophy over a final poll spot? Beat writer Jesse Newell discusses essential KU basketball topics in SportsBeat KC with Blair Kerkhoff.Story li...
2020-03-1827 minSportsBeat KCThe strange new world of sportsA headline in The Kansas City Star in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks read: Sports, ppd. As NFL, college football and baseball games were being called off the sports world came to a halt. So it is today because of COVID-19 coronavirus. NCAA championships — including men’s and women’s basketball — have been canceled. It’s a remarkable moment in American sports, and we talk about it on SportsBeat KC.Well, most of it. When Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian taped their segment, we knew the major college tournaments were cancelled and speculated that would...
2020-03-1238 minSportsBeat KCHoop madness has already started for Big 12 champion KansasLet’s see, over the past five days, Kansas announced its 307-page response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations, won at Texas Tech to capture the outright Big 12 championship, and had players honored by the conference, including center Udoka Azubuike as player of the year. Quite a stretch for the Jayhawks, and Kansas City Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian break down what it all means on SportsBeat KC. Next stop for KU and the rest of the conference: the Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center.Story links:Jayhawks pick up two top individual honors fr...
2020-03-0931 minSportsBeat KCOK-Doke, Kansas big man Azubuike leads Jayhawks to Big 12 titleUdoka Azubuike was a beast. The Kansas senior center finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in his final game at Allen Fieldhouse as the Jayhawks defeated TCU to capture no worse than a share of the Big 12 championship. Kansas had trouble pulling away from the hot-shooting Horned Frogs and needed all of Azubuike’s production. Does KU have what it takes to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament? Sam Mellinger and Jesse Newell join Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC to discuss Kansas and the Big 12.Story links:Why the Big 12 title me...
2020-03-0535 minSportsBeat KCMizzou once again in victory lane, with Kansas State on skid rowWith Tuesday’s heart-stopping triumph against Mississippi, Missouri has won three of four and is playing its best basketball of the season. Reasons for the improvement? Start with the terrific play of point guard Xavier Pinson, who has scored 60 in the previous two games.On the opposite track is Kansas State, which can’t buy a victory these days. The Wildcats take a five-game losing streak into Wednesday’s game at Texas Tech.Beat writers Souichi Terada and Kellis Robinett check in to talk about their teams on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast...
2020-02-1923 minSportsBeat KCK-State vs. Kansas in a meaningful football game. And Mizzou’s turn for the worseKansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett and KU beat writer Jesse Newell tell is what’s at stake at the most significant Sunflower Showdown in at least a decade. The Wildcats and Jayahwks are coming off victories and feeling good about the direction of their programs heading into Saturday’s game. Not feeling great these days are the Missouri Tigers, and Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada sees some troubling signs for team.Read the stories we discussed:Appreciative for the good times: Skylar Thompson’s journey to stardom for K-State: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/colleg...
2019-11-0134 minSportsBeat KCWhat went wrong (and right) in Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the PackersThe Chiefs fell to the Green Bay Packers 31-24 on Sunday Night Football. The Chiefs fell behind 14-0, rallied to take a 17-14 leader behind reserve quarterback Matt Moore, but couldn’t hold off Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger broke down the game, the big moments and pivotal decisions on Facebook Live now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast.Read the stories we discussed:Andy Reid’s conservative turn cost the Chiefs their last chance against the Packers - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article236718718.html
2019-10-2839 minSportsBeat KCBroncos insight on facing Chiefs from a former Kansas City TV sports anchorIt’s game day. The Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos tonight and it’s a matchup of teams headed in different directions.After starting 4-0, the Chiefs have dropped two straight. After starting 0-4, the Broncos have won two in a row.We get the Broncos perspective on the game from Nick Griffith, a former Kansas City TV sports anchor who has spent the last eight years covering the Broncos and Denver’s sports scene.Also, we hear from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who met the media earlier this week. What’s his outlook...
2019-10-1725 minSportsBeat KCIt's the Chiefs, baby. Kansas City's crazy win over Detroit showed many virtues and flawsA desperation fourth-and-8 conversion, a hook-and-lateral completion and a 100-yard fumble return were some of the wild moments in the Chiefs’ 34-30 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.This breakdown is provided by the A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff. The group was on hand at Ford Field for the Chiefs’ most difficult and perhaps most satisfying victory of the season, one that improved the team’s record to 4-0.This episode was originally recorded as a Facebook Live video on the Red Zone Extra page.
2019-09-3041 minSportsBeat KCSaying farewell to Royals manager Ned Yost; hello to new Chiefs writer Herbie TeopeThe Ned Yost decade with the Royals will end this week. The club announced he’ll step down at the end of this season. Star columnist Sam Mellinger, who has covered the entire Yost tenure, chats with host Blair Kerkhoff about the mostly good times with the manager and speculates on the future of the job. Also, Sam McDowell helps introduce new Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope, who loaded up the truck from New Orleans to return to a market he knows well. Herbie covered the Chiefs before spending the last four years in New Or...
2019-09-2445 minSportsBeat KCKansas football did what?! And rumor has it the Chiefs are shopping for a cornerbackIt was a successful weekend for area college football teams largely because of an improbable victory by Kansas at Boston College. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger chew on the Jayhawks’ triumph as a 20-point underdog and break down Kansas State’s huge victory at Mississippi State plus look ahead to the battle of Columbia: Mizzou vs. South Carolina. Also, rumors abound about the Chiefs seeking a cornerback but how hard are they looking and who might be a candidate.Read the stories we discussed:The secret sauce behind KU’s offe...
2019-09-1740 minSportsBeat KCChiefs cornerback Morris Claiborne on his mistake; how Simone Biles (and KC) set recordsThe A-team, no longer in the dark after Saturday’s preseason opener at Arrowhead Stadium, shines more light on the Chiefs victory over the Bengals.Host Blair Kerkhoff, Chiefs beat writer Brooke Pryor, columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian also talk about cornerback Morris Claiborne's first practice with the Chiefs. Claiborne owned up to the mistakes that cost him a four-game suspension to start his season.Also, Vahe tells us what it was like to witness history in the making at the U.S. Gymnastics Championship at Sprint Center. Thank you, Simone Biles.Re...
2019-08-1335 minSportsBeat KCThe A-team on the Chiefs’ preseason opening victory against Bengals: It’s mostly goodThe Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 38-17 in the preseason opener on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.Patrick Mahomes and many of the starters played only one series as several players continued making their cases to land roster spots — including a hometown prospect from Lee's Summit.The Star’s A-team of Brooke Pryor, Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff hosted a post-game Facebook Live broadcast that is also this podcast episode. Read the stories we discussed:Sam Mellinger: The Chiefs new defense played a game at Arrowhead Saturday (sort of). Let’...
2019-08-1142 min
Deep BackgroundPensions, legislative pay, and the Kansas school dilemmaKansas City Star reporters Scott Canon and Dave Helling, and Steve Kraske of KCUR discuss pension payments to state lawmakers, legislative pay, the unusual nature of state races — and the Kansas reaction to the school funding ruling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2016-06-0226 min
Deep BackgroundNew York weighs in on Trump while the political landscape shifts in Missouri, KansasThe Kansas City Star's Scott Canon and KCUR's Steve Kraske discuss how the New York primary pushed Hillary Clinton closer to the nomination, the challenges still ahead for Donald Trump and how races for governor in Missouri and the U.S. Senate in Kansas could be shifting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2016-04-2122 min