SportsBeat KC

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FIFA World Cup opener less than a month away. Can event push through headwinds? May 12, 2026

Show notes

With the FIFA World Cup opening game less than a month away — and less than five weeks before the first match is played in Kansas City — some recent indicators question the event’s expected size and scope.

Hotel rooms remain available, as do tickets to most games, heightening fans’ frustrations.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses the latest developments, and KC2026 president Pam Kramer responds to some of the reports as Kansas City prepares for its World Cup close-up.

Fan Fest numbers are strong in Kansas City, Kramer says, and each of the six games is trending toward to sellout as anticipation builds for the world’s biggest sporting event.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt talks World Cup anticipation & what to expect May 05, 2026

Show notes

Kansas Citians will be “shocked in a good way” by the FIFA World Cup when it arrives here in June, says Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt.

He should know. He’s been going to games of the world’s most popular sporting event since 1974, when he was 9.

Hunt sat down with SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM) to discuss his World Cup experience and career in soccer. Hunt played in college at SMU and became one of the driving forces behind the formation of Major League Soccer, which was born after the last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994.

The Hunt family made their wealth in the oil business, and Lamar Hunt founded the American Football League and the Dallas Texans, the forerunner to the Chiefs. But the Hunts also were pioneers in U.S. soccer, and Kansas City likely wouldn’t be part of the World Cup without their influence.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:16 - Clak Hunt breaks down why KC will be shocked by World Cup tourism

12:30 - How this stadium soccer stadium saved Major League Soccer

14:22 - Why Kansas City won its World Cup host city bid

15:59 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

Final word on the Chiefs’ draft: Analysis of Brett Veach’s most important class Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

The draft class is complete. How did the Chiefs fare?

The question ultimately cannot be answered for a few years, but the Chiefs made some bold moves, including turning the draft’s first trade. Columnist Sam McDowell and Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney drill down on all the selections and evaluate the class on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

From first-round pick Mansoor Delane to the final, surprising selection of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier — both from LSU — we break down where the Chiefs potentially succeeded and where roster work remains.

Also, a final word on the WNBA preseason game played in Kansas City on Monday night, and what it may say about the city’s chances of landing a team in the league.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:50 — Speculation season is over, here how some of our mockdrafts played out

3:08 — The statement the Chiefs made by taking 4 defensive players in a row

14:14 - How the offensive picks from the draft could help the Chiefs struggles

29:56 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Monty Davis, Irvin Zhang, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Chiefs got defensive on first day of NFL Draft. Here’s who they selected and why Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

The first day of NFL Draft and with their two first round picks, the Chiefs concentrated on one side of the ball.

Defense.

They even engineered the draft’s first trade to move up three spots to select cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney, covering the draft in Pittsburgh, breaks down the Chiefs’ evening, which concluded with their selection of Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29.

We also identify the Chiefs’ needs as the draft continues on Friday and Saturday.

Royals put a sold sign on site for new home. Is Crown Center the right move? Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

More than three years after announcing the quest for a new home for the Royals, the team unveiled plans for a ballpark in downtown. They’ll create an 85-acre stadium district in Kansas City’s Crown Center and Washington Square Park.

In this special edition of SportsBeat KC, the weekly sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian shares his thoughts on the Royals’ forthcoming new digs.

Kauffman Stadium, in its 54th season, has been a popular home for the Royals. Did principal owner John Sherman get it right with Crown Center?

And now both of the Truman Sports Complex tenants have announced new homes. With the Chiefs moving out of Arrowhead to a site in Wyandotte County, how much will we miss the franchises’ current status as next-door neighbors?

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:54 — The downtown ballpark dream has come true.

10:15 — Why parking situation is on all our minds

Chiefs almost on the clock: If they keep No. 9, here’s the strongest possibility Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

The NFL Draft is near.

The Chiefs hold nine selections over the draft’s three days, with two picks in the first round. It’s the team’s best draft position in years — thanks to a poor finish to last season.

A successful draft would help the Chiefs avoid this kind of draft position in the future.

“You don’t want to be here, but we’ve gotten past that phase, and we’re in it,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “There’s a good number of picks we’ve got here.”

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian offer their final pre-draft thoughts, starting with what the Chiefs should do with their first-round picks.

Edge rusher with their first selection? Wide receiver? Cornerback? A tackle for the offensive line? We agree on the positions of need, but not necessarily the players.

It will be a fascinating draft for the Chiefs as they begin the quest to reestablish the dominance they’ve experienced throughout much of the Reid era.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:20 — Why we love draft week

17:18 — Who the Chief’s may take in the first round?

29:12 — The local talent you should keep an eye on during the draft

31:42 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

KC moves closer to new downtown ballpark for Royals. But these questions remain Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Kansas City has detailed plans for a new Royals ballpark at Washington Square Park, offering to contribute $600 million to the stadium’s $1.9 billion price tag.

Is this the Royals’ future? Well, a few questions remain.

Star columnist Sam McDowell, who helped break the news of the stadium proposal, identified what obstacles may lie ahead on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Also, a talent drain is taking shape on the Kansas basketball program. Seven players have already entered the transfer portal, with just one announcing that he was staying. And no player from another program has announced he was joining the Jayhawks.

KU beat writer Shreyas Laddha discusses why for the second straight year, KU seems to be playing catch-up in the portal.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:15 — Is the downtown ballpark actually happening?

7:00 — What would the nearby stadium district look like?

11:55 — KU’s transfer portal madness

26:22 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

Will Rashee Rice’s off-the-field concerns change Chiefs’ NFL Draft plans? Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won’t be suspended by the NFL, plus KC picked up a former first-round cornerback in Kaiir Elam. Those two positions will be a priority when the Chiefs are on the clock for the NFL Draft later this month. Will they have an impact on the Chiefs’ plans?

After the break, former professional soccer star Matt Besler talks the World Cup, and what Kansas City should expect when the games and base camps arrive in June.

Besler would know — He was a starting defender on the 2014 U.S. World Cup team that emerged from the group stage to the knockout round in Brazil.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:15 — Rashee Rice won’t be suspended. How does that affect Chiefs’ plans?

7:20 — Chiefs take flyer on former first-round cornerback

14:09 — The first Kansas Citian to play in the World Cup talks the base camp experience

19:02 — Is Kansas City ready for the World Cup?

24:26 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Why Kansas City Royals still have no answer on their next stadium Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Opening day at The K was a success for the Royals, who beat the Minnesota Twins in the first home game. But only a handful of home openers at Kauffman Stadium remain for the team that’s actively looking for a new stadium. So where will it be built — and why has it taken this long?

Royals principal owner John Sherman addressed those questions before Monday’s game. Star columnists San McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed the topic on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Then, between games and base camps, at least 10 national teams will spend time in Kansas City during the FIFA World Cup. None is smaller — or perhaps more excited — than the Caribbean island nation of Curacao.

By area and population, it’s the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup.

Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, told us how his team is preparing for the global stage … and Kansas City.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:15 — John Sherman’s latest update on a new Royals stadium

11:04 — How Royals looked on Opening day at The K

17:31 — Curacao’s World Cup journey & what KC can expect

36:20 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Could Bill Self really be done as KU basketball’s coach after last-second loss? Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Kansas basketball’s NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end with a buzzer-beating loss to St. John’s in the second round. Now, the Jayhawks await word from Bill Self on his coaching future due to the heart issues he’s been battling since 2022.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Sam McDowell discusses what’s in store for the Jayhawks this offseason and how the program might handle a coaching search.

Also, opening day for the Royals is Friday and beat writer Jaylon Thompson breaks down the roster, where the team has improved over last year, and how Royals players’ success in the World Baseball Classic — there were many — can carry into the upcoming season.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:20 — The struggles that led to KU’s early March Madness exit

9:57 — Is this the end of the Bill Self era?

20:08 — The Royals players who shined at World Baseball Classic

33:36 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

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