SportsBeat KC

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Explaining Chiefs’ stunning opening game loss & where do they go from here? Podcast Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs find themselves in a rare place, coming off a loss to open the season. They fell to the LA Chargers in Brazil last week and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, the coverage team breaks down what went wrong.

Beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian explain the problems on defense, as the Chargers built an early lead and held on to their first victory over the Chiefs since 2021.

Patrick Mahomes was excellent but the Chiefs offense was dealt a major blow early in the game when wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a shoulder injury. We cover it all on SportsBeat KC.

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What kind of seasons await Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, Pacheco? Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Seven months after losing the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are back in action with the regular-season opener on Friday against the Los Angeles Chargers, in Sao Paulo, Brazil of all places. On SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star sports podcast, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what to expect from a team bidding for its fourth straight Super Bowl appearance.

First, we review the roster moves over the past week that helped shape this team. After a break, we look ahead at how standouts like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and Isiah Pacheco will fare. Also, we submit our final record predictions.

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Why college football felt wild for KU, K-State & Chiefs’ roster takes shape Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Football kicked off last weekend for KU and K-State and the Chiefs are counting down the days to their opener. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we cover the college gridiron with beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha who covered games in remarkable settings, with mixed results from their teams.

After a break, you’ll meet new Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney. He breaks down the Chiefs roster with Star columnist Sam McDowell and looks ahead to the Chiefs opener the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.

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Why Chiefs changed approach to final tune up, and Kansas teams open college football season Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Things 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 schools are front and center. Kansas State will meet Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, in the traditional first game. Later that day, Kansas opens its renovated stadium against Fresno State. Will the Kansas schools play up to their roles as favorites?

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Who is trending up and down for Chiefs after preseason opener Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Who is trending up and down for Chiefs preseason?

Breaking down Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener. Who's trending? Insights on veterans, young players, and roster battles on SportsBeat KC podcast.

Chiefs preseason, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL preseason, Chiefs roster

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Which Chiefs players need to come up big in preseason opening game Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs will have had three weeks of training camp practices by the time the preseason opener at Arizona kicks off Saturday. “You get to see some different looks,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “It become real, and these guys are all competing for spots.”

Who needs to have big moments to improve his stock? Star columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed that topic and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.

Rookies, like first-round draft pick Josh Simmons, will get much attention Some veterans will as well, especially among non-starters.

Also, McDowell and Gregorian determine if the Royals were winners or losers at the trade deadline.

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With Seth Lugo signing, Royals ended any idea of moving assets Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

After the All-Star break, Royals fans wondered if their team would be buyers or sellers. They answer was definitive. The Royals are in it to win it.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the Royals’ decision to re-sign starting pitcher Seth Lugo, presumably the team’s biggest trade chip, while adding some punch to the lineup. It won’t be easy for the Royals, who are dealing with several injuries. But they’re giving themselves the best opportunity to be a playoff team.

Also, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell provides the update from training camp at Missouri Western, where the offensive line is always a hot topic.

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How will the Chiefs handle potential suspension for wide receiver Rashee Rice? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Just as the Chiefs were preparing to open training camp, several personnel matters were decided.

The Chiefs made Trey Smith the NFL’s highest paid guard with a four-year deal worth $94 million, and a few days later the team locked up defensive end George Karlaftis with a similar contract.

Also, the Chiefs likely will soon know about the status of wide receiver Rashee Rice when it comes to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Rice was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days jail time for his role in a chain reaction car crash in Dallas last year. Now, Rice and the team await word from the NFL on a suspension.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell broke down the recent news and the ramifications for the team bidding to reach a fourth straight Super Bowl as training camp opens at Missouri Western State University this week.

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Crazy weeks for KC Current’s Izzy Rodriguez include new deal, big goal Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a remarkable first half of the season for the Kansas City Current. With the team, like the rest of the NWSL, on its international break, let’s take stock of where things stand.

The Current is 11-2 and in first place by eight points. The team will take a six-game winning streak into the second half when league play resumes on Aug. 1.

Temwa Chawinga, second in the league with eight goals, is bidding to become the NWSL’s first repeat MVP.

The Current hasn’t been idle during the break. They’re in the midst of the Teal Rising Cup, a four-team tournament played at CPKC Stadium, and several of their players have been called up to national teams.

The list includes defender Izzy Rodriguez, who chatted with The Star on its weekly sports podcast, SportsBeat KC. Rodriguez made the most of her first USWNT appearance with a goal against Ireland in a friendly. She shares her reaction that special moment and what it will take for the Current to continue its winning ways.

Izzy Rodriguez shines for KC Current and in USWNT debut

Also on the podcast, Star soccer writer Daniel Sperry breaks down the Current and also looks ahead to the season’s second half.

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The biggest sports Border War of em’ all podcast: Who gets Chiefs, Royals? Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

The 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-use and entertainment district.”

This comes on the heels of Missouri passing the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which also sweetens the deal for the teams, paying up to half for the teams’ new homes.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, veteran Kansas City sports writers Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Jesse Newell join host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the Border War competition for new or rebuilt stadiums that will cost in the billions.

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