SportsBeat KC

One final week of workouts for the Chiefs before they break for a short summer break, and on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast you’ll hear from three players, starting with tight end Travis Kelce.It’s been a busy schedule for Kelce, with the Saturday Night Live hosting duties, White House appearance and, earlier this week, throwing a first pitch at a Royals game. But he’s all business when it comes to football.Clyde Edwards-Helaire began last year as the Chiefs’ starting running back but he wasn’t on the active roster for the Super Bowl. He shares his feelings and motivation for this season.Defensive end George Karlaftis came on strong at the end of his rookie season. He explains how the game slowed down for him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year ago this week, 16 North American sites were announced as hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Kansas City made the cut. Less than three years remain before the first games are played and the Kansas City effort has an executive director.Katherine Holland, who headed the city’s bid for landing the event, moves into the new role that oversees the Kansas City 2026 preparation.There are plenty of items on Holland’s to-do list. How will transportation work for the thousands of visitors expected for games and if Kansas City is selected as a base camp? How and where will the city present fan festivals?On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Holland discusses these topics and more. The games and the fans will be here before you know it.“Now we have to bring this to life,” Holland said. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are several reasons for the Royals last-place position in the AL Central. They’ve gotten there with inconsistent hitting and pitching, and now they’ve added another problem: fielding.They rank near the bottom in several fielding categories, and it’s not just errors. Poor decisions also have hurt the team and played a big role in Tuesday’s loss at the Miami Marlins.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and reporter Pete Grathoff discuss the defensive woes, and how the Royals can make repairs.Also, trade specuation as started and we discuss the top possibilities for the team that has plenty of holes to fill.Story link:Kansas City Royals bumble to 6-1 loss at Miami Marlins. Here’s a look at what went awry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs went where their previous Super Bowl championship teams had not gone before...to the White House. Meeting the President wasn’t a thing when they won Super Bowl IV, and the pandemic prevented the visit four years ago.The team made the most of their moment on stage and backstage, touring the White House, then heard words of praise from President Biden. On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, we’ll hear his comments and those of Andy Reid and team president Mark Donovan, along with the other person who spoke at the podium, Travis Kelce, if only for a few seconds.First, Star columnist Sam McDowell, who covered the event, tells us what he saw–and how he felt–on his first trip to the White House.Story link:From Whitehouse to the White House: How Mahomes, KC Chiefs left their mark in D.C.With Chiefs up next, meaning of White House visit still resonates with past KC honorees Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs are closing in on the end of organized team activities and on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, we hear from the coordinators.Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub doesn’t like the new rule that will allow the ball to be placed at the 25 with a fair catch inside the 25. Also, Toub provides updates on players the Chiefs could use at return positions.Matt Nagy is back at offensive coordinator, a position he held with the Chiefs in 2016 and 2017 before becoming head coach of the Chicago Bears. He tells us what might be different about the offense this season.Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo coached up several rookies last season and faces that prospect again. He tells us who has made good early impressions.Story link:The Chiefs want to ‘stay aggressive’ after this NFL rule change. Why that’s a mistake Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May was better than April for the Royals, but not good enough to get the team out of last place in the AL Central. The Royals head into June with a 17-39 record, one of two in baseball to not reach the 20-victory plateau.What were the highlights and low points for the month? On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and editor Scott Chasen break it down and look ahead to June. One thought: As good as Salvador Perez and Zack Greinke were in May, the Royals need some of their younger players to step up in a more consistent way.Also, we start the discussion about the All-Star Game, and, who would be the Royals’ representative if they get just one roster slot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 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 fliers, we review the new Kansas City airport (!) and provide a suggestion on how to avoid the long line at arrivals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DeAndre Hopkins has been among the top NFL wide receivers in his career, and he’s available after his release by the Arizona Cardinals last week. What are the chances Hopkins joins the Chiefs?According to beat writer Jesse Newell, the case against landing in Kansas City has more checks than the case for Hopkins joining Patrick Mahomes and company. Newell lays out his reason on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.Also discussed: Why the Chiefs are planning to enter the 2023 season without a fullback for the first time in Andy Reid’s tenure.You’ll also hear from new left tackle Donovan Smith, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the Chiefs. Smith met with reporters last week during OTAs.Story link:Why new Chiefs free-agent signing believes he’ll have a bounce-back season in 2023https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article275819531.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does Patrick Mahomes think about the NFL’s quarterback market, and his place in it?What has Nick Bolton been up to since his Super Bowl scoop-and-score?What does Andy Reid think about his new cast of wide receivers and tackles?The Chiefs spoke to reporters Wednesday and you’ll hear what they had to say on today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast.Mahomes kicks off off the show. After jet-setting this offseason to the Kentucky Derby and a Formula 1 race in Miami (among other trips), he explains what keeps him grounded.Bolton, meanwhile, says he’s been impressed with the energy of safety Bryan Cook, and Reid explains why the Chiefs aren’t likely to carry a fullback this season.Story link:Patrick Mahomes not driven to be top-paid QB: ‘I worry about legacy and winning rings’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before losing their fourth straight game, the Royals bid farewell to a player who had been in the organization for 10 years. Hunter Dozier was designated for assignment, and the Royals will eat the remainder of his contract. Dozier signed a four-year extension in 2021 and is owed about $15 million if another team doesn’t claim him.Signing a lucrative long-term extension is risk to the club and potentially the player, and as the Royals consider deals to lock up younger talent like Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr., Brady Singer or MJ Melendez, the player has to be sure of the timing. Could a younger player sell himself short by signing an extension too early?On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, columnist Sam McDowell, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and reporter Pete Grathoff discuss contract extension possibilities, along with other Royals topics, like the holes in the starting rotation and what’s happened to the bats lately.Story link:The Royals cut Hunter Dozier. Is there a lesson in his story? Maybe. But ideally not.https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article275685726.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not a good weekend for Kansas City’s soccer teams. Sporting KC got trounced in its first game against expansion team Saint Louis City, and the KC Current dropped its fourth straight, and second this week, to Racing Louisville.Both teams have been fighting uphill battles throughout the season, and they’ve shown signs of solid play. Before Sporting’s loss it had going 2-0-1 and the Current posted a three-game winning streak earlier this season.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writer Daniel Sperry drills down on the recent results but also looks at the big picture and examines what needs to happen for both to realize their playoff aspiration.Story linkSporting Kansas City trounced by St. Louis City SC in first game of new MLS rivalryhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/sporting-kc/article275623341.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three 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 daily sports podcast. You’ll hear from Lucas, and Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt who took questions from reporters after their remarks.First up is Star columnist Sam McDowell who attended the event and shared his impressions.Story link:Getting KC prepped for World Cup 2026: Government, team officials outline broad planshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/article275526521.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did 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. K-State is being considered by former Kansas center Ernest Udeh. Who else do the Wildcats and Coach Jerome Tang have on the radar?Story link:Chris Klieman’s massive new Kansas State contract includes many lucrative bonuseshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article275442201.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does the new Chiefs offensive line stack up to last year’s? It might be tough to top a group that didn’t allow a sack in the Super Bowl victory. But the additions at both tackle spots were well received.That one topic covered by Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. The other: The Chiefs schedule. At face value it’s difficult. That’s always the case for first-place teams. We discuss the potential potholes and reveal what Las Vegas oddsmakers say is the most difficult game.After a break, you’ll hear from former Kansas State defensive end Wyatt Hubert. The former Cincinnati Bengals draft pick is trying to make his way back to the NFL after a year out of football. Hubert, part of Chiefs’ rookie mini-camp, which wrapped up last week, provides an update on his career.Story links:Chiefs schedule analysis: Best game, toughest stretch and most intriguing matchupHe worked in medical sales a few months ago. Now he’s trying to make an NFL roster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Royals head into their longest road trip of the year coming off their best home stand. Their victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday meant they won a series for only the second time this year and first time at home. They went 5-5 on the home stand and that’s their record in May, a nice turnaround from a dreadrful April.So, let’s talk baseball. First up, meet The Star’s new Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson. He previously worked at USA Today and grew up in Atlanta following the Braves. We discuss his baseball interests and an uncle, who is a former major league player.Star columnist Vahe Gregorian is part of the conversation that continues with memory from George Brett. It’s the 40th anniversary of the famous Pine Tar game, a day that Brett vividly recalls. He speaks to that moment that provided baseball one of its greatest dugout charges.Story link:On 40th anniversary of Pine Tar Game, George Brett remains proud of principled rampagehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article275293961.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A victory in its last MLS game stopped the spiral for Sporting KC, the final team to win a game this season. It occurred in the 11th league game.The awful start continued a trend from last year when only one team in the Western Conference finished with fewer points. What are the reasons for the slow start and how much responsibility falls on the shoulders of manager and sporting director Peter Vermes?Vermes is the constant with the franchise, which has been among the most success in league history. He’s the longest tenured coach in MLS. Some fans chanted, “Vermes out,” at the team’s most recent home game.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist and former Sporting beat writer Sam McDowell discusses his recent intereview with Sporting KC principal owner Mike Illig and team president and CEO Jake Reid, and what steps could be taken to improve the team’s fortunes.Story link:Sporting KC’s sticking with Vermes, but owners say they’re not scared to make a changehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article275233231.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Jayhawks have largely turned over their men’s basketball roster for next season and the biggest addition is Hunter Dickinson, the 7-1 standout from Michigan who is transferring to Bill Self’s program.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha discuss how KU could use Dickinson, a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a second-team All-America last year.Dickinson averaged 18.5 points and nine rebounds last season and could be the most accomplished player ever to enter the transfer portal.This much is true: The Jayhawks have had some of their best seasons with a productive post player. Think about David McCormack, Udoka Azubuike, Jeff Withey and others over the past decade.Story link:Roster addition of Hunter Dickinson means rise in early preseason rankings for Kansashttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article275170136.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reporters spoke with Chiefs draft selections in the euphoric moments after they were taken. A week or so later, the same players in a less hectic moment got the interview treatment again at Chiefs rookie mini-camp. You’ll hear from some of those players on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.First-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the defensive end from Kansas State and Lee’s Summit High, recalled his experiences at the Super Bowl parade after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory.Rashee Rice from SMU spoke of his role on a team that’s lost its top wide receiver each of the past two seasons. Tackle Wanya Morris says he feels at home on the offensive line playing along side of former college teammate Trey Smith, and defensive back Chamarri Conner said he’s up for any special teams duty the Chiefs ask. After all, he played at Virginia Tech, which emphasizes special teams as much as anyone in college football.Also, Andy Reid provides an update from mini-camp which ended on Monday.Story link:Chiefs’ first-round draft pick was limited at rookie minicamp. Andy Reid explained whyhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article275199391.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Royals celebrated the Kansas City career of Lorenzo Cain over the weekend with a contract-signing ceremony that allowed him to retire as Royal.On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear from Cain about his KC career, with an emphasis on the 2014 and 2015 postseasons.The occasion got us wondering about who else might receive such a ceremony with the Royals, and/or eventually join the team’s hall of fame. Manager Ned Yost will be the first from the group to enter the hall at a September ceremony.But who else? It’s a little tricky for this reason: George Brett, Frank White, Amos Otis, Hal McRae and Willie Wilson played most of (or all of) their respective MLB careers in Kansas City. They’re the franchise’s top-five players in games played.Cain tweetThe second championship stretch for the Royals was populated with players who spent eight or fewer seasons with the Royals: Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, Wade Davis and Greg Holland, among others.But player movement is more common now and should be taken into account when considering such an honor. Besides, there are Hall of Fame players from the earlier era who weren’t Royals lifers (for instance, John Mayberry spent just six of his 15 big-league seasons in Kansas City).Our list of players from the 2014-15 era who should enter the Royals Hall of Fame includes Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon, Cain, Hosmer, Moustakas, Escobar, Kelvin Herrera, Davis and Holland. Maybe the HDH bullpen enters as a trio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a Patrick Mahomes effect when it comes to evaluating college prospect quarterbaccks? Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz says he sees more “off schedule” plays from high school and college quarterbacks, similar to the highlight moments from the Chiefs quarterback.Drinkwitz, Mizzou basketball coach Dennis Gates and wrestling coach Brian Smith spoke to fans and reporters on a recent visit to Kansas City, and you’ll hear them all on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Gates explains why the Tigers, coming off their best season in more than a decade, are capable of more.Smith explains the value of having the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Kansas City in 2024. Matt Stahl of the Columbia Daily Tribune kick off the latest episode.Story link:The NFL Draft will soon be gone. NCAA Wrestling will be Kansas City’s next big sports partyhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article274788956.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This 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 break, we discuss Kansas City’s performance in holding its first NFL Draft. More than 300,000 were estimated to have attended the event at Union Station and the National WW1 Museum and Memorial. We got lucky with the weather. Preparation and hard work did the rest.Story link:NFL Draft in Kansas City ‘exceeded our expectations,’ says KC Sports Commission presidenthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274923316.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs looked to trade up in the first round of NFL Draft but with no takers found they held on to pick No. 31 and selected Kansas State edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who grew up in Lee’s Summit. Then the trading started.The next three players taken by the Chiefs were taken in move-up fashion with SMU wide recevier Rashee Rice in the second round, Oklahoma offensive tackle Wanya Morris in the third and Virginia Tech safety Chammari Conner in the fourth.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, general manager Brett Veach explains why the Chiefs traded draft picks to move up in each round. The Chiefs started the draft with 10 selections and finished with seven.After a break, you’ll hear from Kansas City Sports Commission president Kathy Nelson on the massive undertaking of executing the NFL Draft in Kansas City. She said the event, the largest sports-related specator gather in the city’s history “exceeded expectations.”Story links:NFL Draft in Kansas City ‘exceeded our expectations,’ says KC Sports Commission presidenthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274923316.htmlWhy did Chiefs trade up in Rounds 2-4 of NFL Draft? Brett Veach gave this main reasonhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274919631.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 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 recent NFLPA findings that weren’t kind to the Chiefs.After Hunt, former Chiefs return specialist Dante Hall spoke about his induction into the Chiefs Hall of Fame. I think you’ll be surprised to hear about his favorite play in a Chiefs uniform.We end the show with a conversation with Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope. On his final duty for The Star, he evaluates the Chiefs draft haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Draft opened before tens of thousands at Union Station, and ended with the Chiefs selecting Kansas State product Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round. In all, an amazing day in Kansas City.On today’s SportsBeat KC, we’ll hear from Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid. We’ll hear about Anudike-Uzomah’s Chiefs fandom growing up in Lee’s Summit, and how Veach and Reid came to identify the K-State defensive lineman as their choice.Also, Veach and Reid explain other options the Chiefs considered in the first round and what trade options may have been on the table.Story link:The remarkable underdog story of Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs first round draft pickhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article274794141.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four years after the announcement of the NFL Draft to Kansas City, the day has arrived. Tens of thousands are expected to watch the event at Union Station from the National WWI Museum and Memorial law and millions more on the broadcast.The first team scheduled to make a selection is the Carolina Panthers. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler joins Star columnist Sam McDowell in discussing the Panthers’ position and how Carolina got the top pick without finishing with the NFL’s worst record in 2022.Also on today’s show, you’ll hear from the player the Panthers are expected to select, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, along with other draft prospects Will Levis, a quarterback from Kentucky and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. They participated in a football clinic at Central High on Wednesday.Story link:No longer on the clock: The NFL Draft has arrived for Kansas City and the Chiefshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274732606.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playing 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 enter the draft with 10 selections.After a break, we change sports and discuss the slow starts by Kansas City’s other teams. Why have the Royals and Sporting KC been dreadful? The KC Current have picked up the pace recently after stumbling out of the gate, but the NWSL team that last fall made it to the league’s championship game has fired its coach.Story link:No umbrellas, chairs at NFL Draft Experience in KC. Here’s what is and isn’t allowed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the greatest players in Chiefs history were not first-round draft selections, and you’ll hear from a few of them on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.Each has an interesting draft experience story, and Bobby Bell, Will Shields and Trey Smith share theirs.Even though they’re from different eras, one thing they have in common: Based on performance they were woefully under-drafted with Bell taken in the seventh round, Shields in the third and Smith in the sixth. Bell and Shields are Hall of Famers.Also, you’ll hear about the origin of “Chiefs Kingdom.” Chiefs fans are expected to be out in force during the NFL Draft at Union Station this week, and you’ll hear Chiefs Kingdom used often. It was the brainchild of longtime radio broadcaster Mitch Holthus, and at Super Bowl LVII he shared the story of how he came up with the description of the fandom.,y Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL will bring 17 draft prospects like Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud to Kansas City for the Draft, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be other draft prospects in Kansas City for the event.A handful of college football standouts from Kansas City-area high schools could find their way to Union Station and Liberty Memorial to take in the sights and sounds of the NFL Draft.Ikenna Enechukwu, a defensive lineman from Rice University and Ruskin High said he may find his way to the draft. “Maybe take a selfie, to show the grand kids some day that I was there,” he told The Star.If he’s selected, Enechukwu would likely hear his name on Saturday, when the final four of seven rounds are announced. Others, like Kansas State lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Lee’s Summit High) and Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore (North Kansas City High), are projected to hear their named called on Thursday or Friday in the first three rounds.On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, you’ll hear from Enechukwu and from PrepsKC.com managing editor Dion Clisso, who covers Kansas City-area high school sports. Clisso discusses the area prospects and their high school careers.Story link:Former Kansas City prep football standouts hope for homefield advantage at NFL Drafthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274004740.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The business of the NFL Draft, when it comes to Kansas City and Union Station next week, won’t be focused nationally on the hometown Chiefs. As Super Bowl champions, they own the final selection of the first round, No. 31 overall. By then, it’s the drama of when the top quarterbacks will be taken and who will be the top defensive player selected will be resolved.But has any team mastered the draft over the past few seasons better than the Chiefs? Beyond the most obvious big payoff maneuver, moving up in the 2017 draft to select Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have used the draft to strengthen a roster that has produced two Super Bowl victories in the past four seasons. Nine of their 2022 draft picks played in the recent Super Bowl victory.On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from Chiefs draft conductor and general manager Brett Veach. He spoke with reporters about this year’s draft, its strengths, and how the Chiefs could once again have a bountiful draft with 10 picks heading into the event that begins its three-day run on Thursday.Story link:How the Chiefs can replicate the success of last year’s drafthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article274561076.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 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 12 salaries.“If you look at all of our salaries, we’ve typically been towards the bottom half of the Big 12,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor told beat writer Kellis Robinett. “And that’s where we compare ourselves. We don’t really compare ourselves with the Big 10 and how the SEC is doing. How are we salary-wise for coaches and staff within the Big 12? I think from an owner’s perspective, we want to be up in the upper half, if not better.”On today’s SportsBeat KC, Robinett discusses Kansas State’s next moves on the contract and salary front, and other topics relating to the Wildcats, including whether the 2022-23 year in sports was the best in school history.Story link:Kansas State Wildcats working on bigger contracts for Chris Klieman and Jerome Tanghttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article274237795.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

His second Super Bowl championship and MVP season behind him, it was time for Patrick Mahomes to begin thinking about the next quest. Turns out, he’s as motivated to keep pushing forward as ever.Mahomes shared his thoughts about life after the ultimate achievement and starting the 2023 off-season team activities in a 15-minute interview with reporters that you’ll hear on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. He talks about his ankle injury, working with receivers in Texas for a second straight year, and getting back to work.He also weighs in on the new deal for Jalen Hurts that makes the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback the NFL’s highest paid player on an annual value basis, and has thoughts for Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who is recovering after being shot in Kansas City while picking up his brothers.Star columnist Vahe Gregorian kicks off the show with his thoughts on Mahomes and Chiefs.Story link:With chance to be part of elite NFL history, Chiefs and Mahomes have fresh motivationhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article274412725.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL off-season comes in phases, and teams are preparing for the first of those. For the Chiefs, that means plenty of pitching and catching with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. That’s happening in Texas, as it did last year. It means meetings and conditioning for the defense, and it’s also an opportunity to hear from Andy Reid and players for the first time in several weeks,Reid met with reporters on Monday to preview the beginning of these activities. It was his first time to discuss how the Chiefs will operate with new faces at wide receiver, how he spent his time since the Super Bowl victory and he looks at the NFL Draft for the Chiefs and where the event will take place, Union Station in Kansas City.After a break you’ll hear from linebacker NIck Bolton. He’s coming off his first Super Bowl triumph and describes how he’s handled the short off-season.Story link:Why the Kansas City Chiefs are Zooming through Phase 1 of their offseason programhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274397975.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the Royals could ignore the opening homestand, they’d look pretty good in the AL Central. On their first road trip of the year, they went 3-3, winning their first two in San Francisco and their final game in Texas. The get away game was their most complete of the season, a 10-1 triumph.But fold in the 1-6 start and the record isn’t pretty after two weeks. On today’s show, Star reporters Pete Grathoff and Scott Chasen discuss the Royals with an emphasis on the past week. The starting pitching continues to outperform expectations, and the bats came alive in the final two games against the Rangers.Especially encourging in the finale is how well the Royals hit with runners in scoring position. Can they keep it up with the Atlanta Braves and the Rangers in town for the next six games?Story link:KC Royals have struggled in this crucial stat: ‘Little by little, we’re feeling better’https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article274279215.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 10 draft picks the possibilities seemingly are endless for the Chiefs. But there are some positions that need to be addressed, and on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell shares his thoughts on what the Chiefs might do when the draft arrives in two weeks.Edge rusher? Wide receiver? RIght tackle? The Chiefs likely will look for answers at those slots, the way they addressed the defensive backfield last season. How did that work out? Three rookies started in the secondary in the Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.Even an early trade isn’t out of the possibility. The Chiefs have made moves involving their first-round draft selection in every year except one since 2016. We discuss what would entice the Chiefs to make such a move this time.Story link:Kansas City Chiefs 7-round mock draft 2.0: If KC goes offense, this could be the pickhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article274028415.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MLS and NWSL seasons have started, and can we get a reset in Kansas City? Sporting Kansas City is seven games in without a victory. The KC Current are 0-2.Why the slow starts? On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star soccer writer Daniel Sperry breaks it down. One common element to the teams: lack of offense. The Current has one goal. Sporting has two. For the most part defense and goal-tending has been solid.But goals have been difficult to come by. As Sporting’s Peter Vermes said after the most recent loss, 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids: “I’d like to score some goals.”Story link:KC Current got some love from Ted Lasso. Their coach is a fan of Jason Sudeikis’ showhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article273756415.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Self held his first press conference since since being hospitalized for a heart catheterization procedure before the Big 12 tournament, and although the occasion of this year-end meeting with reporters was unlike last years when the Jayhawks won the national championship, this was also upbeat.Self spoke for more than 30 minutes on his improved health and renewed excitement for coaching. “All this did from a job standpoint was reconfirm what I love to do,” he said.And, “I need to be living in the portal.”You’ll hear all of the Self press conference on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Columnist Vahe Gregorian shares his thoughts on the coach who has amassed nearly 800 victories in his career, and is well into planning for next season.Story link:How health issue clarified Kansas coach Bill Self’s view of the future (and path to it)https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article274007225.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How about a Kansas State defensive end from Lee’s Summit as the Chiefs’ first selection in the NFL Draft?Adding to the local angle, the draft will take place at Kansas City’s Union Station.Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Big 12 defensive player of the year for the Wildcats, is the Chiefs’ first-round pick, projected by Star beat writer Herbie Teope.Mock drafts are the definition of inexact science, but over the past three seasons, Teope has called the Chiefs’ drafting of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2020), Nick Bolton (2021) and George Karlaftis (2022) in one of his multiple mock drafts.Discussing the draft also provides and opportunity to look at Chiefs needs, and we do that as well.Story links:Who will the Chlefs select in the 2023 NFL Draft? Here’s The Star’s first mock draftSome Kansas City roads are starting to close for NFL Draft at end of the month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In baseball, early results are magnified, which is why the Royals’ three-game losing streak to open the season make things more dour than had it happened in, say, July. And it’s also why, when the skid ended with Monday’s 9-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, champagne flowed in the clubhouse.Well, that and the Royals were celebrating Matt Quatraro’s first victory as a manager.On today’s SportsBeat KC, reporter Pete Grathoff breaks down the very early returns of the Royals, who showed some positive signs even while dropping the opening series to the Minnesota Twins.Also discussed: The impact of baseball’s most important rules changes. At least one, the pitch clock, is having the intended impact on games. Did you notice you’re getting home sooner from the ballpark?Story link:Why Royals manager Matt Quatraro had red eyes after first MLB victoryhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article273932695.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from coaches Dan Hurley of UConn and Brian Dutcher of San Diego State as they break down the game and their seasons.You’ll also hear reactions from two of the newest members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, coaches Gene Bess of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Gene Keady, the longtime Purdue coach who was a three-point letter winner at Kansas State. Interestingly, none of those sports was basketball.Story links:What will it take for charmed San Diego State to overcome powerful UConn in NCAA final?https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article273880995.html#storylink=mainstage_cardGene Keady is the latest with Kansas State ties elected to the Hall of Famehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article273862665.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every sport begins a season. Only baseball has Opening Day (capital letters). As the 2023 campaign gets underway,n we talk Royals with several players and new manager Matt Quatraro. They met with reporters on Wednesday to discuss a wide range on topics from team prospects to rules changes.You’ll hear from opening Day starter Zack Greinke, along with Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino and general manager J.J. Picollo.How much optimism should there be for 2023? The Royals are picked to finish at or near the bottom of the AL Central with a projected victory total of 68.5. Last or next to last in the division is where they’ve finished each season since 2018. But on Opening Day and hope springs eternal.Story links:Opening day is fertile chance for new-look Royals to show changes aren’t just cosmetichttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article273731645.html#storylink=mainstage_leadAny Royals optimism starts with young core. What’s reasonable to expect? Let’s dive inhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article273725590.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the free agency flurry the Chiefs have had more losses than gains. Gone are wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman and tackles Orlando Brown Jr., and Andrew Wylie, safety Juan Thornhill and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.The Chiefs have added tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and linebacker Drue Tranquill. Add it up, and you have today’s conversation on SportsBeat KC with Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell along with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell.The Chiefs, as they’ve been doing in the Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Brett Veach era, are playing the long game. The moves keep them competitive and financially fit and in a position to extend a run that currently includes two Super Bowl victories and five straight trips to the AFC title game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the time of year when hope springs eternal. Baseball season has arrived and every team had a chance at becoming a World Series champion.Right?Some have better chances than others. The Royals enter the 2023 with a new manager, general manager and remain in the early stages of John Sherman’s ownership. There is optimism for improvement, but it will be essential for Kansas City to avoid the slow starts of previous seasons.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Sam McDowell discusses Royals and focuses on the pitching. Good teams have good bullpens, and the Royals have looked to improve there.Story link:Why the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen has most room for improvement — but with a caveathttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article273522060.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So 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 time since seeding started in 1979 that no teams among the top three will play on basketball’s final weekend in Houston.You’ll hear from Kansas State, a program that had its best NCAA run in six years, reaching the East final before falling to Florida Atlantic. Point guard Markquis Nowell became a star of the tournament with his scoring and playmaking, and we’ll hear from him and other Wildcats from the tournament for the final time.Story link:Roster changes on the horizon but hopes remain high for Jerome Tang in Year 2https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article273608560.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With another astonishing performance by its point guard Markquis Nowell, Kansas State outlasted Michigan State in overtime and has advanced to the Elite Eight, one step away from the Final Four.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett and columnist Vahe Gregorian break down the edge-of-your-seat East Regional semifinal, and center to it all was Nowell, who set an NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists to go along with his 20 points.Nowell’s final two assists won the game. His lob pass to Keyontae Johnson from distance, was finished with back-to-the-basket slam to break a tie, and his in-bounds pass to Ismael Massou on a clever play led to the breathing-room jumper.Great stuff all around from Nowell and the WIldcats who with a victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday will reach the Final Four for the first time since 1964.Story link:Spontaneous or scripted? What really happened on Markquis Nowell’s daring alley-oop pass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Missouri Tigers got reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and were upset by Princeton. But there was nothing upsetting about Mizzou’s season.The Tigers were picked to finish 11th in the SEC. They were the No. 4 seed in the league tournament, and reached the semifinals for the first time. Missouri also won its first NCAA Tournament game in more than a decade.In all, an excellent first season in Columbia for Dennis Gates. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss Missouri’s season and where Mizzou goes from here, especially from a recruiting standpoint.Story link:Mizzou’s NCAA Tournament loss to Princeton hurts but doesn’t diminish momentous seasonhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article273323190.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next season came earlier than expected for Kansas after its heart breaking loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.The defending national champion will bid farewell to its All-America player, Jalen Wilson, and with Gradey DIck projected by some to be an NBA Draft lottery pick, only two starters may return in point guard Dauajn Harris and big man K.J. Adams.How will Bill Self and his staff fill out the lineup and rotation next season?Beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha provide the first look and address the many questions for the Jayhawks in 2023-24 on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast.Story link:Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams will lead KU in 2023-24. What else is known about the roster?https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article273331780.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas State plays in Manhattan, affectionately known as the “Little Apple.” This week, the Wildcats look to continue their NCAA Tournament winning ways in the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden.The Sweet 16 date in New York against Michigan State awaits a Kansas State team that defeated Kentucky on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C., behind the remarkable performance of point guard Markquis Nowell. Adding to the purple vibe this week: Nowell and three of his teammates are New York natives. They’re going home.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how K-State broke from a close game with Kentucky with a final flurry to pick up the most important victory of the season, and how the purple Wildcats, who went off as a betting underdog, overcame Oscar Tshiebwe and the blue Wildcats.After a break, you’ll hear a conversation with K-State athletic director Gene Taylor, which was recorded before the Kentucky game. He discusses the accomplishments of first-year head coach Jerome Tang and addresses the likelihood of a contract extension. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of the 32 games in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Kansas State’s contest with Montana State is the 30th, tipping off Friday evening. That gave us enough time to break down the Wildcats on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast with Kellis Robinett.The Wildcats are one of the most unlikely tournament teams, based on preseason expectations. They were picked to finish last in the Big 12. But in Jerome Tang’s first season, K-State came in third in the league and is a No. 3 seed taking on Montana State in the NCAA opener in Greensboro, N.C.We discuss how it came together, including the role of the team’s two returning players, Markquis Nowell and Ismeal Massoud, in shaping this year’s roster. Also, a look ahead at a possible Kansas State-Kentucky second round game if those teams win on Friday.Story link:K-State Wildcats vs. Montana State Bobcats: NCAA Tournament game time, TV, predictionhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article273240055.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs moves in free agency haven’t made national headlines, but there’s plenty of roster turnover occurring for the Super Bowl champions. Four starters and three more who made valuable contributions have departed during free agency. And the week isn’t over.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell break down the moves and how the Chiefs plan to replace players like Orlando Brown Jr., Andrew Wylie, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Juan Thornhill and Khalen Saunders.Some of been addressed with such free agent additions as offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor and defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.Work remains for general manager Brett Veach and his staff to complete a roster through free agency, the draft or trades to keep the Chiefs atop the NFL.Story linkFollow Kansas City Chiefs’ free-agency updates: Orlando Brown Jr. finds new homehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article273157615.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed, its best position since 2012. The Tigers are coming off a competitive SEC tourney semifinal loss to top-ranked Alabama, after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinal. So why is MIzzou a betting underdog to No. 10 seed Utah State in Thursday’s opener?The Aggies are a excellent team, but you better believe Coach Dennis Gates and his veteran team will use any slight in their favor. This is a Missouri team picked to finish 11th in the SEC, and the Tigers were seeded fourth in the tournament.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the Tigers, who open the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif. A victory on Thursday aligns with them the Arizona-Princeton winner in the South Region.Also at stake: Missouri seeks its first victory in the NCAA Tournament since 2010. It looks to end a five-game March Madness losing streak.Story link:To make it memorable, Mizzou’s turnaround season needs exclamation point in NCAA playhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article273060235.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices