SportsBeat KC

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Inside The Star’s feature on Darryn Peterson and his KU basketball season Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson has had anything but a dull season. At times, he’s looked like the best player in college basketball. At others, he’s frustrated fans — and possibly his coach — by missing games for any number of ailments.

So what’s going on behind the scenes with Peterson? Has his NBA Draft stock fallen? And what’s the deal with the cramping that has persisted for almost the entirety of his freshman year?

The Star’s Shreyas Laddha dove into these topics — and more — in a feature on the KU basketball star. We discuss Peterson’s tumultuous season on SportsBeat KC, the podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:16 — Why did Peterson miss so much time this season?

6:45 — Peterson’s NBA future

8:48 — Is KU on upset watch vs. Cal Baptist?

Is Justin Fields the right backup for Chiefs? And who got better draw, KU or MU? Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

The Chiefs have found their backup quarterback in a trade — Justin Fields — with the hope that he doesn’t have to play in games.

After all, that would mean Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury has lingered and he can’t open the season. As it is, Fields, acquired from the NY Jets, will play a critical role while Mahomes recovers.

Beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down the trade, along with other standout roster moves in free agency over the previous week and how they’ll impact the team’s approach in the NFL Draft on the latest SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR.

Also, columnist Vahe Gregorian shares his thoughts on the draws for Kansas and Missouri for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers appeared to get a kiss from the selection committee, the Jayhawks a slap.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:02 — What Justin Fields brings to the Chiefs

8:50 — A breakdown of Chiefs’ free agency pickups

16:03 — How Mizzou got a lucky draw. KU, not so much

33:22 — What else is on Blair’s Radar?

Did Chiefs strike gold with Kenneth Walker? Grading Chiefs’ start to free agency Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Free agency quickly impacted the Chiefs from the opening minutes Monday. It was reported that the team had signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, while resigning star tight end Travis Kelce.

But with major additions also came subtractions. Gone are cornerback Jaylen Watson (Rams), safety Bryan Cook (Bengals) and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew (Cardinals).

How did the Chiefs fare overall? Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian shared their thoughts on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR.

Also, the Big 12 tournament arrives in Kansas City and Missouri heads to the SEC tournament in Nashville. What are the prospects for KU, K-State and Mizzou this week?

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:25 — Did Chiefs overpay in signing Walker?

9:25 — Travis Kelce’s return

20:20 — KU & Mizzou’s chances in the Big 12 & SEC tournaments

33:01 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Did Chiefs win blockbuster Trent McDuffie trade? Breaking down KC’s haul Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Trent McDuffie’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs has come to a close. In a blockbuster trade Wednesday, the Chiefs traded McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a haul of draft picks.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian react to KC trading one of its best and most popular players.

How will the Chiefs replace McDuffie, an All-Pro slot cornerback who helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls — and how does this move impact the team’s draft approach? We discuss on this special edition of SportsBeat KC.

0:35 — Our reactions to the Chiefs’ haul of picks

4:50 — What are the Chiefs losing by letting go of McDuffie?

6:17 — The Chiefs’ secondary, as it stands

10:01 — KC’s track record of developing top cornerbacks

Jeremiyah Love? Rueben Bain? How NFL Combine results may change Chiefs’ plans Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

With the Chiefs set for the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, they got an up-close look at pro football’s top prospects at the NFL Combine.

Running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, and edge rushers Rueben Bain of Miami and Texas Tech’s David Bailey drew plenty of attention. But will any of them be available when the Chiefs pick comes around in next month’s draft?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Pete Sweeney, who covered the Combine in Indianapolis, share their thoughts on the top players and what the Chiefs could be thinking with free agency starting next week.

Also, as the FIFA World Cup approaches and Kansas City braces for six games, we speak with a fan of a team playing and staying here. Bas Rol lives in Amsterdam and is a huge fan of the Dutch national team.

Rol — who used to live in Kansas City and still cheers on the Chiefs and Royals — breaks down what it’s like to be part of the Orange Army and Chiefs Kingdom.

Stakes are high for Chiefs at this NFL Combine. Here’s what we’re hearing Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

The Super Bowl closes the NFL season and the NFL Combine opens the next one.

The stakes are high for the Chiefs at this year’s scouting event in Indianapolis. This is where the team begins to get better.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell break down what the Chiefs should look to accomplish at the Combine — and which top prospects might interest them.

Also, just as the Winter Olympics wrap up, the next big international sporting competition is on the horizon. The World Baseball Classic begins next week, and the Royals are well represented with eight players spread across five teams. KC catcher Salvador Perez, who serves as a captain for Venezuela, speaks to the national pride in the event.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:03 – What’s the point of the NFL Combine?

11:08 — The Chiefs’ priorities at the Combine

20:05 — Which Royals will be in the World Baseball Classic?

22:03 — What’s on Blair’s Radar?

What’s next after K-State fired Jerome Tang? Plus, how KC became a World Cup hub Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

When it comes to FIFA World Cup base camps, Kansas City can flex.

Three of the world’s top-seven teams — Argentina, England and Netherlands — have made it official: They’re summer camping in KC.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell explains how Kansas City created the conditions to land those teams — and what it means to have them and their fans coming to the Heartland.

Also, Kansas State reporter Kellis Robinett goes inside the coaching change at K-State. Jerome Tang is out, and the Wildcats are in the market for a new men’s basketball coach.

Complicating matters: Tang was fired with cause for postgame press conference comments, and he plans to fight the school for his $18.67 million buy out.

1:07 — Why England, Argentina and the Netherlands chose KC
9:37 — The barbecue restaurant that lured Argentina to KC
16:58 — Did K-State make the right call in firing Jerome Tang?
29:36 - What’s on Blair’s radar this week

How KU rallied to beat No. 1 Arizona & KC’s World Cup advantage for big teams Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Top-ranked Arizona didn’t face the potential top player in the NBA Draft when it visited Kansas on Monday Night, but it did take on a motivated KU team in a raucous environment. The Jayhawks prevailed 82-78, even without Darryn Peterson, in dramatic fashion.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, KU beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha break down the action at Allen Fieldhouse: how the Jayhawks rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit and why Bill Self was emotional about this victory.

After a break, KCUR interim news director Madeline Fox discusses where Kansas City stands with FIFA World Cup base camps. National teams are beginning to identify where they want to train and lodge during their stay in North America this summer, and Kansas City finds itself in an advantageous position.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:51 - Beat Writers break down the electric KU game vs Arizona

7:37 - KU’s To be or not be with Darryn Peterson

11:40 - What did KU prove?

15:22 - What we know about World Cup Base Camps in KC

20:19 - Is KC ready for the World Cup?

25:53 - What’s 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 Randy Mason, Monty Davis, Irvin Zhang, Alison Booth, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The Hall-of-Fame vote heard around the country, plus Royals’ stadium update Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

The Royals are packing their bags and will soon be off to spring training in Surprise, Arizona. But before they leave, they greeted fans and chatted up the season at Royals Rally at Kauffman Stadium.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Vahe Gregorian dig into the upcoming season and whether the Royals can return to their playoff form of two years ago.

Also, you’ll hear from Chairman and CEO John Sherman on the latest in their stadium search, GM JJ Picollo on the team’s biggest needs and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino with his take on the shorter distances to the fences at The K this season.

Then after the break, the vote heard all around the country: Vahe digs into why he didn’t vote for Bill Belichick in the recent Pro Football Hall of Fame vote after explaining it in a column last week.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:07 — John Sherman talks stadium update

9:21 - JJ Picollo on the lessons learned last season

14:20 - Vinnie Pasquantino on The K’s shortened fences

21:32 - Vahe on why he didn’t vote for Bill Belichick

What Eric Bieniemy’s return means — and doesn’t mean — for Chiefs next season Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

The offensive coordinator who was part of the Chiefs staff through one of their most productive stretches is back in Kansas City. Eric Bieniemy, who had three different jobs in the past three years, has been rehired.

That also means Matt Nagy, who held the job for the past three years, is out.

Why the moves? On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell and Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney explore the moves and discuss what it means for the Chiefs.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:23 — Why Eric Bieniemy?

9:13 — Who else did the Chiefs interview for OC?

18:25 — How the Chiefs’ offense got stale last season

26:21 — KU vs BYU & Royals Rally

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