SportsBeat KC
A podcast about the biggest sports stories in and around Kansas City. Covering Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, Kansas State University and more. Hosted by Blair Kerkhoff.
Episodes
September 8, 2025 • 30 mins
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.
Pa...
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September 2, 2025 • 38 mins
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 t...
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August 26, 2025 • 40 mins
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...
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August 20, 2025 • 35 mins
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 ...
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August 12, 2025 • 32 mins
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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August 5, 2025 • 31 mins
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 p...
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July 29, 2025 • 33 mins
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 ...
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July 21, 2025 • 36 mins
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 w...
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July 14, 2025 • 35 mins
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 f...
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July 1, 2025 • 39 mins
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 b...
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June 23, 2025 • 24 mins
The Chiefs wrapped up mini-camp last week and a few items remain on the checklist for training camp, which begins at Missouri Western on July 22.
Is left tackle settled as first-round draft pick Josh Simmons recovers from an injury? Will a deal get done with guard Trey Smith? Who is leading for the final couple of spots at wide receiver?
On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, beat writer Jesse Newell a...
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June 16, 2025 • 31 mins
The Missouri House closed its special session last week with votes to provide funding to the Royals and the Chiefs, so a piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. But questions remain. The biggest: What do the teams want to do?
On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, Star columnist Sam McDowell discussed options for the teams. The Royals want a new ballpark. But where? The Chiefs’ top choice may to be t...
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June 10, 2025 • 32 mins
College sports has entered a new era with a recent court ruling that allows the schools to make direct payments to athletes. For the upcoming school year, up to $20.5 million can be distributed to football, basketball, baseball, volleyball players and more. This is in addition to scholarships and payments for name, image and likeness.
How are schools handling this new approach? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, college ...
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June 2, 2025 • 35 mins
The greatest Royal of ‘em all, George Brett, can’t wait to watch Jac Caglianone’s major-league debut on Tuesday. Neither can golf icon and Royals fan Tom Watson.
At an annual fundraising event for The ALS Association in Overland Park Monday, half of Kansas City’s sports Mount Rushmore weighed in on the Royals’ decision to elevate their top prospect to Major League Baseball.
Caglianone will make his MLB debut Tuesday in St. Louis....
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May 28, 2025 • 32 mins
Say this for the Royals, they’ve been consistent this season. Through about two months of 2025, pitching has been excellent. Hitting hasn’t come around. But a few things are happening to keep hope alive for another playoff season.
First, the Royals remain a contending team. Despite losing 11 of their past 16 games they’re over .500 for May.
Also, the promotion of slugger Jac Caglianone looms. His hot hitting has continued after a...
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May 19, 2025 • 36 mins
The next step in determining the future playing venues of the Chiefs and Royals rest with the Missouri statehouse.
After the state Senate failed to pass a state funding measure that could provide up to 50 percent of a new stadium for the Royals and a renovated Arrowhead State for the Chiefs, Gov. Mike Kehoe has called a special session to debate providing tax breaks that would keep the teams in Missouri.
On SportsBeat KC, The Sta...
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May 13, 2025 • 33 mins
After 43 games the Royals have the same record as 2024 -- 25-18. Does it feel the same?
A year ago, Royals fans were thrilled with the fast start with the team coming off a 106-loss season. This year, with higher expectations, it’s easier to wonder if the team is reaching its potential.
On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the strengths and weaknesses of a Royals...
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May 5, 2025 • 36 mins
The Chiefs effectively hired a couple of dozen new employees last week, seven of them through the NFL Draft and the remaining through subsequent undrafted free agency deals.
Their start date: How about now?
They all took part in a three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend, concluding Monday. As part of it, each of the seven draft picks, along with a couple of intriguing other names, spoke to the media.
I’ll apologize for the on...
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April 28, 2025 • 38 mins
How did the Chiefs fare in the NFL Draft? Star columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Jesse Newell break it down on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog.
The Chiefs entered the draft with eight picks, and after trades, finished with seven. Their first round pick, offensive tackle Josh Simmons of Ohio State at No. 32 overall, was the product of a trade.
The Chiefs addressed their biggest needs early, and ...
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April 21, 2025 • 33 mins
A year ago this month, Jackson County voters sent an emphatic message to the Royals and Chiefs: They didn’t want their taxes to help pay for a new stadium for the Royals and improvements for the Chiefs.
Since then, the teams have considered several options for their future homes but haven’t landed on one. Their Truman Sports Complex lease is expiring in 2031.
On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and ...
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