The Big 12 is in a state of flux. Texas and Oklahoma have formally applied to the SEC. It’s only a matter of timing for those schools to be part of major college football’s first 16-team conference. What happens to the remaining Big 12 schools? On today’s SportsBeat KC, Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett (KC Star, Wichita Eagle) and TCU beat writer Drew Davison (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) join host Blair Kerkhoff in covering the Big 12 and college sports landscape. They discuss the possible options for the schools. Some could be better than others. And how basketball could look in a different Big 12. Story links: Stay or go? What are options for Big 12 leftovers once Texas, OU leave? https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/article253055588.html With the Big 12 on life support, what’s next for TCU? We break down some options https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article253045508.html Former KU football coach Mark Mangino hopes Big 12 can survive loss to OU, Texas https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article253045783.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC

Breaking down the Big 12’s future, assuming there is one

Break up the Royals. Heck, maybe that happens with the trade deadline approaching. But what a run since the All-Star break. After dropping two of three from the Orioles, the Royals have put together a season-high six-game winning streak. They’ve done it with excellent starting pitching and power hitting from the likes of Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez. Also, with baseball’s trade deadline is approaching what should the Royals do, and what is possible trade bait? Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, Danny Duffy? We discuss the possibilities. Story links: Jorge Soler powers Royals to sixth consecutive win with another two-home run game Whit Merrifield hopes he’s still with the Royals when the winning starts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why the Royals are hot again and who might be on the trading block

The Chiefs are at Missouri Western for training camp and it feels right. The team conducted camp at Arrowhead Stadium last year because of the pandemic, but they’re back in St. Joseph for the 11th time in 12 years. Coaches, quarterbacks and first-year players arrived on Friday. The veterans reported on Monday and fans are allowed to attended at mid-week. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are among the Chiefs who met with reporters at camp. Reid addressed Frank Clark, vaccines, and what he wants to get out of this year’s camp. Mahomes provided an update on his health. Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope gets the conversation started with host Blair Kerkhoff. Story links: Why Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill sees a rebound season coming this fall Andy Reid gives update on Frank Clark, camp, in wake of gun requests Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs begin to find answers for 2021 at training camp

The college football festival that is SEC Media days wrapped up this week, and Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz was one of the stars of the show thanks to his sharp wit and sense of humor. You’ll hear Drinkwitz’s question and answer session with reporter in this episode of SportsBeat KC, The KC Star’s daily sports podcast.. Star columnist Vahe Gregorian was in Hoover, Ala., to cover the event and shares his thoughts about Drinkwitz and the Tigers, who return 16 starters, including quarterback Connor Bazelak, and figure to land somewhere behind Georgia and Florida in the preseason SEC East projections. Story links: Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz holds court at SEC Media Days Amid buzz around Texas, OU, other Big 12 schools should be considering options, too SEC commissioner Greg Sankey: COVID-19 vaccinations not a political football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was the Eli Drinkwitz Show at SEC Media Days as MU coach held court

Amy Rodriguez is no longer a member of KC NWSL. Johnny Russell wasn’t penalized in the box in Sporting KC’s draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. The US Women’s National Team didn’t win (or draw) it’s Olympic opener. All of this happened over about a 30-hour stretch and we break it all down on SportsBeat KC with soccer scribes Shaun Goodwin and Briar Napier. And the U.S. Men’s National Team third straight victory at Children’s Mercy Park in Gold Cup play with Sporting’s Gianluca Busio in the starting lineup again, we discuss that as well and wonder if Busio has played his final game in a Sporting uniform. Story links: KC NWSL trades star captain A-Rod for three players Sporting KC coach Vermes blasts decision to call back penalty: “It’s disrespectful” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A-Rod traded; SKC non-call blasted, USWNT loses, how was your day?

Chiefs training camp begins Friday at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, and story lines abound. Who lines up on the right side of the offense line? How will the defensive end rotation work? Position battles, impact newcomers, it all begins when quarterbacks and first-year players report on Friday. The full squad arrives the following week. Today’s SportsBeat KC previews camp with beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell with host Blair Kerkhoff. We start by asking why Andy Reid camps tend to be different than those of other teams and the value of the most recent signing, defensive end Alex Okafor. And no Chiefs conversation these days is complete without mentioning Tyrann Mathieu’s contract progress and Frank Clark’s legal situation. Story links: With camp approaching, Chiefs turn to familiar face for pass-rush help https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article252901563.html Chiefs go camping: What look for, sleepers and more as practices loom https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article252734588.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a huge week for Kansas City Chiefs, with training camp set to begin

On Tuesday, the Royals played at the Milwaukee Brewers. But a more interesting game happened in Papillion, Nebraska, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Suiting up for the Royals’ Class AAA team were top Royals prospects Bobby Witt Jr. and Nick Pratto, who were called up this week from Northwest Arkansas. Daniel Lynch was the Storm Chasers’ starter. In this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnist Sam Mellinger joins host Blair Kerkhoff to track the prospects’ progress and expectations in their new environment. Of note, this episode was recorded right before the Royals placed starting pitchers Danny Duffy and Brady Singer on the injured list. Story links: Mellinger MInutes: Royals promote Bobby Witt Jr. and Pratto How the Royals’ Nicky Lopez got his swagger back at the plate Royals’ Hunter Dozier opens up about root of his issues at the plate Worthy tweet 0720 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That day when the more interesting Royals game was in Papillion, Nebraska

When the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until 2021, the hope was the COVID-19 pandemic would have been eradicated … or at least no longer be a major storyline. That is not the case. With competition beginning Tuesday and opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday, the Summer Games in Tokyo, a humongous city that‘s been reporting more than 1,000 new cases each day for the past week, are happening. This will be the first Olympics contested without fans present. And already, athletes are testing positive for the virus, including United States gymnast Kara Eaker from the Kansas City area. In this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Vahe Gregorian, who has covered numerous Olympic Games, joins host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the event and pose this question: Can we enjoy these Olympics? Story links: Alternate from U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team from KC tests positive for COVID-19 NBC News: Tokyo 2020 sponsor Toyota pulls Olympic TV ads public support lags Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympic Games in Tokyo begin this week. Can we enjoy them?

The U.S. Men’s National Team was more aggressive in Thursday night’s 6-1 Gold Cup victory over Martinique at Children’s Mercy Park. And the scoring was capped by a goal with local flavor: Sporting KC’s Gianluca Busio’s cross found the cleat of Nicholas Gioacchini, a Kansas City native. In this episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, Shaun Goodwin, Cora Hall and Briar Napier break down the game and what’s in store for the USMNT team with host Blair Kerkhoff. Among other topics covered: What’s coming up for Sporting KC, KC NWSL and the USWNT team coached by Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski in the Olympics, and why we’ve enjoyed the soccer-based TV series Ted Lasso, starring Jason Sudeikis — who’s also from Kansas City — as the show’s second season approaches. Story links: Sellout for Sunday’s U.S.-Canada Gold Cup match sign of times in rivalry Kansas City players combine for storybook goal in U.S. Soccer’s 6-1 victory over Martinique U.S. soccer cruises to Gold Cup victory over Martinique in Kansas City Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. men remain golden in KC, and the many reasons to love Ted Lasso

The Big 12 has completed a quarter century of competition. In those 25 years, four teams departed, two were added and eight original members have stuck it out. It hasn’t always been a one-for-all spirit but it has survived. On today’s SportsBeat KC, two columnists that have covered the conference since its inception answer the question: How well as the league served the schools they cover? Kirk Bohls has written for The Austin American-Statesman since 1973. Berry Tramel has been with The Oklahoman since 1991 and was at the Norman Transcript for more than decade before that. The Big 12 has been terrific for Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and others, including West Virginia. And you’ll hear from Mountaineers radio play-by-play man Tony Caridi. But how about for league bell cows Texas and Oklahoma? The experts weigh in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How well has the Big 12 served league influencers Texas and Oklahoma?

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said he would have loved nothing better than to end the COVID-19 pandemic conversation and speak only to this football season. But the latest spike in numbers didn’t allow for that. So football and virus precautions were the primary topics on Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday. You’ll hear from Bowlsby on today’s SportsBeat KC, also from Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett and Wildcats football Coach Chris Klieman on various topics. K-State looks to upgrade its receiving corps and improve its defense from last year’s 4-6 team that scored one of the season’s crazy’s outcomes when it defeated Oklahoma by scoring the game’s final 24 points. Story links: Five noteworthy things K-State football coach Chris Klieman said at Big 12 Media Days https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article252751168.html  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virus can’t be ignored as Big 12, Kansas State kick off Media Days

The Royals went young and local with their first few selections in this week’s major league draft, which concluded Tuesday. KC’s first-round selection, left-handed pitcher Frank Mozzicato, was a surprise based on projections. But the Royals’ second and fourth overall picks, Blue Valley Southwest pitcher Ben Kudrna and Park Hill catcher Carter Jensen, are fairly well known around here. What does the youthful trend signal about the Royals? In this episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy joins columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian to discuss the draft and other events associated with All-Star week, including Salvador Perez’s terrific performance in the Home Run Derby and why Royals fans were upset with ESPN’s coverage. Story links: Royals fans rip ESPN for coverage of Salvador Perez at Home Run Derby Salvador Perez sets a record for catchers at Home Run Derby Royals draft Connecticut high schooler with seven pick. Here are the details Royals select local high school standouts with second and third round picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Royals took a high school draft path + HR Derby coverage irritation

During this period of international soccer action — Euro, Copa, Gold Cup and more — the biggest world event was a conversation topic in Kansas City on Monday. The city’s bid be a host site for the 2026 World Cup got a lead image as the KC2026 Bid Committee partnered with OUTFRONT Media to create a wallscape that measures 90 x 90 feel on the north-facing side of the building at 1627 Main Street. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Sporting Kansas City director of marketing Aaron Borns and Kansas City Sports Commission president and CEO Kathy Nelson take us inside Kansas City’s World Cup bidding process. After a break, you’ll hear from Gianluca Busio, who made his USMNT debut on Sunday night in the U.S.’s 1-0 victory over Haiti in the Gold Cup opener at Children’s Mercy Park. Busio, 19, spoke to reporters on Friday about his feelings of representing the United States for the first time. Story links: Sporting KC’s Busio adapting, impressing at USMNT Gold Cup camp ahead of Sunday’s match U.S. Men’s National Team opens Gold Cup soccer run in Kansas City with win over Haiti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Going inside Kansas City’s bid for the 2026 World Cup

Reaction to our list of the top 25 greatest games in Kansas City sports history has been strong. The story was posted on KansasCity.com last weekend and appeared in the Tuesday editions of The Star and many generally agreed with the choices and enjoyed the trip down memory lane. A common thought among those who disagreed was our omission of Chiefs regular season games. One was included: The Joe Montana-led victory at Denver on Monday Night Football in 1994. We consider several more. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Pete Grathoff and host Blair Kerkhoff discuss the list with columnist Vahe Gregorian and Chiefs beat writer Sam McDowell. The podcast was recorded before the stories appeared in the newspaper and on the website. Story link: Check out these 25 best ever games involving Kansas City-area teams. What did we miss? https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article252521933.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How we put together list of top 25 best games by KC-area teams

Kansas City will feel like the nation’s soccer center over the next couple of weeks. Sporting Kansas City remains molten-hot, collecting a 2-0 victory at the Los Angeles Galaxy last weekend. KC NWSL didn’t just earn a 1-1 draw with FC Gotham, it did so in style with a goal by Mariana Larroquette that made ESPN’s top plays highlights for the day. Add to that the arrival of Gold Cup group play at Children’s Mercy Park starting Sunday with the U.S. Men’s National Team, and it’s a packed schedule. We talk about all of it on this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast with guests Shaun Goodwin, Cora Hall and Briar Napier. Story links: KC NWSL breaks skid, gains point on Larroquette goal from distance that tied Gotham 1-1 Sporting KC scores two late, earns three points at LA Galaxy and takes lead in West race Gold Cup games in KC: It’s homecoming for this U.S. Men’s National Team player Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Sporting victory, a marvelous KC NWSL goal and Gold Cup on deck

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.

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SportsBeat KC

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