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On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs. The tax expected to generate about $2 billion over 40 years. A “Yes,” vote means the Royals will move out of Kauffman Stadium and build a new stadium in the Crossroads District. The Chiefs will stay put and improve the fan experience at Arrowhead. A “No,” vote means... No one is certain, but columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, to break down this generational decision. We discuss what the vote means for Kansas City and offer predictions on the outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The first wave of free agency has passed and the Chiefs were active. It actually started before the period opened when the two-time Super Bowl champion gave Chris Jones a record-setting contract. In free agency, the Chiefs came away with wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as their big splash, while signing several defensive players in hopes of recreating the magic of the 2023 unit. The Chiefs aren’t finish. Running back and offense tackle remain positions of need. And what becomes of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who carries the franchise tag? Will the Chiefs seek a trade? Beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the free agency work and looks ahead at what might happen next on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Kansas Jayhawks won their most recent battle. How will they fare in the postseason wars? On SportsBeat KC, The Star's sports podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha break down KU's victory over Kansas State and look ahead to postseason prospects. The Jayhawks, who entered the season as the nation's top-ranked team but has fallen to No. 14 in the latest poll, do many things well, as it showed in the in the victory over Kansas State earlier this week., But it's also a team with fatal flaws. They've been good enough to defeat the nation's top teams, while losing to bottom teams in the Big 12 this season. KU hasn't missed a tournament since 1989. The program lives for March, but two years after winning the program's fourth NCAA title, can they made a deep run? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In two weeks, the Kansas City Current of the NWSL will open its season and new stadium. The following month, Sporting will play host to Miami and Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium. And the FIFA 2026 World Cup games are never far from mind. But on this SportsBeat KC podcast, we discuss Sporting Kansas City. Columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Daniel Sperry are joined by special guest Nate Bukaty, a co-host on SportsRadio 810 WHB and now a member of the MLS national soccer broadcast team for Apple TV and Fox. We discuss Sporting’s season prospects, plus what it will mean to have Messi come to Kansas City. After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting manager Peter Vermes and captain Johnny Russell, who shares among other things, what he enjoys most about being a Chiefs season ticket holder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One final official act of the Kansas City Chiefs LVIII championship remains: Wednesday’s parade. After that, it’s on to 2024. On SportsBeat KC, The KC Star’s sports podcast recorded about 24 hours after the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers, beat writer Jesse Newell discusses the game and some of its unsung heroes and the decision by the 49ers to take the ball first in overtime. We also look at the three-peat quest and legacy of Patrick Mahomes, and what lies ahead for the Chiefs roster. Some big decisions await for the team and some of the players, like Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed. On what we call the final show for the 2023 season, we break it all down in the afterglow of a third championship in five year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs bid for their third Super Bowl championship in five years, while the San Francisco 49s look to avenge their loss to Kansas City in the big game four years ago. Both teams make strong cases to feel confident about victory. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the game and make the case for both teams The 49ers are a slight favorite. But the Chiefs have been the more impressive team in the postseason. Patrick Mahomes is the game’s top quarterback. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy has been sensational in his second year. We discuss it all on this episode from Las Vegas, the site of Super Bowl LVIII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs have had a more impressive path to the Super Bowl than the San Francisco 49ers, with Kansas City winning twice on the road. Their most recent common opponent is the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs beat them for the AFC championship last week, the 49ers lost them at home late in the regular season. So why are the Chiefs underdogs in Super Bowl LVIII. Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell explain on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. We also discuss some of the Chiefs heroes of the postseason, some you’d expect, and some surprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The last season the Chiefs didn’t play in the AFC Championship Game (2017), a solar eclipse passed over Kansas City. It’s been nothing but football sunshine since then. Sunday, the Chiefs travel to the Baltimore Ravens with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs got here by winning at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell along with columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down this week’s showdown, discuss last weekend’s dramatic triumph, and argue about the penalty for fumbling the ball out of bounds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs season lives. They’ve reached the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs and will visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after defeating the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round last weekend. We break down the matchup on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell. A defense that shut down Tyreek Hill and the Miami offense will have its hands full taking on Josh Allen and the Bills, who defeated the Chiefs during the regular season. But recent postseason history favors Kansas City. The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have won two playoff games against the Bills in the previous three seasons. Those games were at Arrowhead. This one will be in Buffalo and will be Mahomes’ first true road playoff game in six seasons. Are he and the Chiefs up to the task? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With a No. 3 seed, the Chiefs have their worst playoff starting position since Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback in 2018. That likely means they’ll have their most difficult path, beginning with Saturday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian break down the Chiefs chances and discuss the matchup that includes a return to Kansas City for Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Which Chiefs team shows up in what’s supposed to be frigid conditions? The one that seemed to find its offensive rhythm two weeks ago against the Cincinnati Bengals and have played rugged defense all season, or the one that can’t avoid the giveaways? No better time than the playoffs for the Chiefs to find the best version of themselves. Story link: How the Chiefs playoff path to the Super Bowl just got a lot tougher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The eighth straight AFC West is clinched, and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance assured. But one game remains in the regular season. How do Andy Reid and the Chiefs play it? Look for the Chiefs to rest starters against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Why would that be important? Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian along with beat writer Jesse Newell and repoter Pete Grathoff explain. Also, we dive into the important of righting the ship in Sunday’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs fell behind by double digits before rallying for the victory. Championship hats and t-shirts were presented after the game, but the Chiefs will seek bigger rewards when the playoffs begin. Story link: Why the Chiefs, locked into the No. 3 seed, are in a perfect spot ahead of Week 18 https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article283722298.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mistakes doomed the Chiefs in their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but one -- a penalty against wide receiver Kadarius Toney -- got more attention than the others. Offensive offside was the flag against Toney, and it wiped out a touchdown that started as a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce and finished with Toney racing to the end zone after taking a lateral from Kelce. But the go-ahead touchdown with about 90 seconds remaining didn’t count, and the Chiefs couldn’t recover. Beat writer Jesse Newell, and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss all aspects of the play, the call and reaction on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Story link: We’re debating the wrong question on the flag against Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In some ways, the Chiefs’ loss at the Green Bay Packers was their most troubling of the season. The offense couldn’t finish drives with touchdowns in the red zone early. The defense, so good throughout the year, allowed the Packers to score on five of seven possessions. More problems in the passing game, and a bad play on a momentum-turning interception by Patrick Mahomes. We discuss all of it and more, including the importance of Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills with The Star crew that regularly covers the Chiefs, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian. The home stretch of the regular season has arrived. Can the Chiefs return to the form a team that’s played in the last five AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls? Story link: Why Skyy Moore slowed down his route on late interception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It took a few series to get going, but the Chiefs put away the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and solved a few issues in the process. It had been a month since the Chiefs had scored in the second half. That streak ended. And the Chiefs were very good in short-yardage situations. Wide receiver Rashee Rice had a breakout game. The Chiefs kept the penalties down and didn’t commit a turnover. Good stuff all around from a team that fell behind by two touchdowns. We discuss all of it on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell. Story link: Rashee Rice received this compliment from Andy Reid after career day vs. Raiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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With the first half of the season behind them, who has been the Chiefs’ top defensive player? Most improved player? Best newcomer? In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the first half of the season through those categories. As you might imagine, the emphasis is on the defense. Also, we single out a couple of plays from the Chiefs’ most recent game, their victory over the Miami Dolphins in Germany last weekend: one by the Chiefs’ defense and one by the Chiefs’ offense. Those plays have helped define the Chiefs season, Story link: What we learned about Chiefs victory over the Miami Dolphins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How bad was last weekend’s loss to the Denver Broncos? The Star’s Chiefs writers count the ways on the latest episode of SportsBeat KC podcast. Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian broke down the 24-9 loss, especially the offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ next challenge is daunting, a trip to Frankfurt, Germany, to take on the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have 6-2 records and a spotlight will fall on Tyreek Hill, the Delphins wide receiver who won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs. Story link: The Chiefs want to talk turnovers. Their problems stretched far beyond that in Denver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs are off to a 6-1 start and have basic offensive and defensive numbers that rank among the NFL’s best. So, how does this team stack up to last year’s Super Bowl champion? Columnist Vahe Gregorian’s response on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, might surprise you. We talk about how the position groups compare between seasons, and what this season’s improved defense means for the Chiefs’ long term prospects. Also, we look at this week’s opponent, the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs not only have won 16 straight in the series, they haven’t lost in Denver since 2014. We put the Chiefs dominance of the rivalry in historic context. Story link: How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs have been grinding on offense, at least by their standards. Heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, they rank ninth in points and fourth in total yards. And yet...The Chiefs share the best record in the NFL at 5-1 heading into Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the Chiefs offense and how it can improve in short yardage situations, and when it comes to throwing the deep ball. Defensively, a stout unit figures to get even better as lineman Charles Omenihu rejoins the team after serving a suspension. But what about Frank Clark? Should the Chiefs find a roster spot for the former defensive end? Story link: The Chiefs’ most pressing issue needs a savior, and Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been it https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article280457854.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t exactly pulverizing opponents, but they keep finding ways to win. The Chiefs look to make it five straight when the Denver Broncos visit on Thursday Night Football. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell, discuss what’s working for the Chiefs and where improvements can be made. We look ahead to the Broncos, who are off to an awful start at 1-4 and having major issues on defense. Also, former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., joins SportsBeat KC for a conversation. An All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl player, Harris spent nine seasons in Denver, inlcuding the Super Bowl championship season of 2015. He describes what he sees with the Broncos defense. On a happier note, Harris shares his observations by recent football success of his alma mater, Kansas. Story link: How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: Kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No AFC team has a better record than the Chiefs at 3-1, and they’re taking a three-game winning streak to Minnesota on Sunday. But wind doesn’t seem to be in the Chiefs’ sails after a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Uneven play on both sides marked the triumph, and one position group continues to come under scrutiny, the wide receivers. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, along with beat writer Jesse Newell, break down the group and how improvements can happen. Also, the defense continued its mostly stellar play but at times had trouble handling the Jets passing game. The Vikings are 1-3 but have had success in the passing game. Catch it all on SportsBeat KC. Story link: Patrick Mahomes’ final scramble was supposed to be a pass to this teammate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For a blowout victory there was quite the commotion surrounding the Chiefs’ 41-10 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Call it the Taylor Swift affect. There was Swift, sitting next to Travis Kelce’s mother during the game, and the pop star and tight end walked out of Arrowhead together afterwards. As if the defending Super Bowl champion needs more attention. Ready or not, they’re about to get it, and we discuss that and football on this edition of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell. There are plenty of Chiefs topics to cover, and we get into the importance of establishing the run, having the makings of an excellence defense and much more. Oh, and are NFL officials picking on Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the Chiefs won the first Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes, the team made him the game’s highest paid player. History has repeated itself. Mahomes, coming off his next Super Bowl triumph, has a restructured deal that pushes him back to the top of the earnings list. On SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the new agreement and its importance to Mahomes and the Chiefs. We also break down the Chiefs’ 17-9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, an effort that was led by the defense, and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Chicago Bears. Story link: Patrick Mahomes has a restructured deal with the Chiefs. Here are the details https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article279481654.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first time since 2010, Kansas State will visit Missouri on Saturday in a meeting of former Big Eight/Big 12 rivals, and the setting should bring back some happy memories for former Wildcats coach Bill Snyder. His teams won six of nine meetings played on Faurot Field. After engineering one of the greatest program turnarounds in college football history, Snyder stepped down from his Hall of Fame career after the 2018 season. He recently sat down with The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff to discuss his life in football, how he came to K-State, some of the remarkable players and games in program history and more. The conversation is presented in a podcast and Q&A. There’s another Snyder connection to Saturday’s game: He attended Missouri...briefly. Snyder grew up in St. Joseph, and looked to play football for the Tigers. It didn’t work out and after a year he enrolled at William Jewell, where the seeds were planted for an incredible coaching tenure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Jones is signed for this season and will be with the Chiefs in practice this week and at their game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His holdout cost him fines and game check and the maximum value of his deal, with incentives, is $25.2 million. But it’s not a long-term deal, and it might be challenging for Jones to hit all of his incentives. So, who got the better of the deal? On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the contract and what it means for the Chiefs and Jones. Also, the crew breaks down the issues in the Chiefs’ opening game loss to the Detroit Lions and looks ahead at Sunday’s game at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Did missing Travis Kelce make that much difference? Yes it did. Story link: Holdout ends as Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones agrees to contract: details https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article279221469.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs’ season has arrived, but not Chris Jones. The Chiefs now face the hard reality of meeting the Detroit Lions in their season opener Thursday without their top defensive player, and the short- and possible long-term impacts of his absence are the focus of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Beat writer Jesse Newell joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in discussing where Jones and the Chiefs go from here. The defense is weakened, but by how much? Who steps up at the position, and who could take on an enhanced leadership role on that side of the ball? Also, the eve of the season opener is projection time. We speculate on such topics as who might lead the Chiefs in receiving yards and which player from the most recent draft class will make the biggest contributions. Story link: Skyy Moore expects this Chiefs role in 2023: ’I’m excited to just show the world’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
College football season is back and area colleges should all get off to good starts. Kansas State, Missouri and Kansas each played in a bowl game last season, and returning to the postseason is at least the objective for all of them this season. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, the beat writers check in to preview their teams, offer strengths and weaknesses and provide a projected final record. Kellis Robinett covers the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats, who return quarterback Will Howard. Chris Kwiecinski covers Mizzou for the Columbia Tribune, and Shreyas Laddha follows the Jayhawks. Spoiler alert: All have the teams they cover headed to another bowl game this season. Story links: Kansas State vs. Southeast Missouri: 5 things to know https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article278605079.html Kansas vs. Missouri State: 5 things to know https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article278673024.html Missouri: Game by game predictions, and five bold predictions https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article278419829.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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