Episodes

  • Chiefs making strides after big victory, but the race is over for the Royals

    Chiefs making strides after big victory, but the race is over for the Royals
    Sep 30 2025
    The Chiefs played a complete game and the Royals completed a season. Both are topics on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR. Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down Kansas City’s convincing 37-20 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens and what it means as they take on an a Jacksonville Jaguars team that suddenly looks rugged. The Royals finished their season with a winning record but missed the playoffs. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? And how does next year shape up? Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Victory in New York fixed everything for Chiefs, right? Plus KC’s big soccer weekend

    Victory in New York fixed everything for Chiefs, right? Plus KC’s big soccer weekend
    Sep 23 2025
    All fixed, right? The Chiefs won their first game this season, at the New York Giants on Sunday. It wasn’t artful but a much-needed victory, and the Chiefs might have found a weapon at wide receiver in the process. On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell break down the triumph near Gotham. and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. Also, Star correspondent Daniel Sperry reviews the huge soccer weekend in Kansas City. He covers the Current, Sporting KC and the Premier League’s fan festival at the Power & Light District. Was the party at the P&L a preview of what Kansas City can expect with World Cup visitors next summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • The oddness of an 0-2 Chiefs record & what more can Salvy do for Royals?

    The oddness of an 0-2 Chiefs record & what more can Salvy do for Royals?
    Sep 16 2025
    The 0-2 Chiefs. That hasn’t happened since 2014, Andy Reid’s second year with the organization and three years before Kansas City drafted Patrick Mahomes. But that’s where the Chiefs stand two weeks into the NFL season with the latest loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell discuss the key factors in the Chiefs’ slow start, especially on the offensive side. When the strong-armed quarterback is the team’s leading rusher you know there are multiple issues. After a break, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Vahe Gregorian set up the season’s final two weeks and break down the long odds of the Royals’ playoff chances. Hey, it’s late in the year and the Royals remain alive. But a second straight postseason appearance is a longshot...even with Salvador Perez reaching career milestones while improving his Hall of Fame credentials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Explaining Chiefs’ stunning opening game loss & where do they go from here? Podcast

    Explaining Chiefs’ stunning opening game loss & where do they go from here? Podcast
    Sep 8 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • What kind of seasons await Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, Pacheco?

    What kind of seasons await Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, Pacheco?
    Sep 2 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Why college football felt wild for KU, K-State & Chiefs’ roster takes shape

    Why college football felt wild for KU, K-State & Chiefs’ roster takes shape
    Aug 26 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Why Chiefs changed approach to final tune up, and Kansas teams open college football season

    Why Chiefs changed approach to final tune up, and Kansas teams open college football season
    Aug 20 2025
    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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Who is trending up and down for Chiefs after preseason opener

    Who is trending up and down for Chiefs after preseason opener
    Aug 12 2025
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins