Scott Asner: The Truth About Kansas City’s Sports Culture

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Scott Asner

Kansas City has long been a hub for passionate sports fans, but in recent years, the city has solidified its status as one of the premier sports destinations in the nation. From football to baseball to soccer, Kansas City’s sports culture is deeply ingrained in the community, uniting fans across generations and creating unforgettable moments on and off the field.

We Love our Chiefs

The Chiefs have won two consecutive Super Bowls and three out of the last five, and have made appearances in four of the last five championship games—a feat that cements them as one of the most successful NFL franchises of the modern era. Patrick Mahomes, with his unmatched talent and composure under pressure, has become the face of the league, dazzling fans with jaw-dropping throws and thrilling comebacks. Meanwhile, Andy Reid’s strategic genius continues to revolutionize the game and keep the Chiefs one step ahead of their competition.

But it’s not just about the wins. Arrowhead Stadium, known for its deafening crowd noise, provides one of the most exhilarating game-day experiences in the NFL. Chiefs Kingdom’s passion is infectious, creating a sense of unity and pride that’s felt citywide—whether you’re at the game, a sports bar, or cheering from home.

The Royals Resurgence

While football reigns supreme, Kansas City’s love for baseball is alive and well. The Royals made waves this year with an exciting season that showcased the promise of a bright future. Fans are still savoring the memories of their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015, capped by their unforgettable championship win in 2015.

This year, the Royals brought fresh energy to the diamond with standout performances from their young players, such as the outstanding Bobby Witt, Jr., who delighted the country in a stellar turn at the Home Run Derby. While the Royals were eliminated by the Yankees in the playoffs, the team’s resilience and competitive spirit reminded fans why baseball remains an integral part of Kansas City’s identity. Kauffman Stadium, with its iconic fountains and family-friendly atmosphere, continues to be one of the most beloved ballparks in Major League Baseball.

A City That Lives and Breathes Sports

Beyond football and baseball, Kansas City’s sports culture extends to soccer, college athletics, and beyond. Sporting Kansas City, the city’s Major League Soccer team, is a perennial contender, with dedicated fans who pack Children’s Mercy Park for every match. Additionally, the arrival of the Kansas City Current, the National Women’s Soccer League team, has further energized the community and brought attention to the city’s growing soccer scene.

College sports also play a significant role in the city’s sports culture. Whether it’s cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, or Missouri Tigers, fans rally around their teams with unmatched enthusiasm, particularly during basketball season. The annual Big 12 Basketball Tournament, hosted in downtown Kansas City, is another highlight, drawing fans from across the region.

Honoring History at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Kansas City is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a cherished institution that celebrates the rich history and contributions of Black players to the game of baseball. Located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, the museum honors legends like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil while preserving the legacy of teams like the Kansas City Monarchs. Jackie Robinson, who famously broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, played for the Monarchs before making history with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The museum stands as a testament to Kansas City’s pride in its unique role in shaping baseball and civil rights.

A Bright Future for Kansas City Sports

Kansas City’s sports success is more than just wins and championships; it’s about the community, the shared experiences, and the pride of being part of something bigger. Whether you’re watching Patrick Mahomes make history at Arrowhead, enjoying a summer night at Kauffman Stadium, or chanting alongside soccer fans at Children’s Mercy Park, there’s no denying that Kansas City is a sports town through and through.

With a rich tradition, passionate fan base, and teams that consistently push the boundaries of excellence, the future of Kansas City sports has never looked brighter. This is more than a golden era—it’s a celebration of what makes Kansas City truly special: its unwavering love for the game.

About the author

Scott Asner, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.

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A Big Win: Kansas City Chiefs and their Super Bowl Victory

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Scott Asner

Hi everyone! Scott Asner here! It sure is an exciting day to be a Chiefs fan! The Kansas City Chiefs took the field by storm on Feb. 11^th and devastated their opponents with a 25-22 resounding Super Bowl victory.

Overcoming Adversity

From the onset of the season, the Chiefs faced formidable opponents and daunting challenges. However, their unwavering resolve, enduring fortitude, and shrewd tactics brought them to a huge win, reflecting the strategic genius by their head coach.

Strategic Mastery and Tactical Artistry

The Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory was a masterclass in football strategy. Just as a maestro conducts a symphony, head coach Andy Reid’s astute play-calling and strategy planning created a performance worthy of admiration. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes orchestrated the offence, showcasing the technical and tactical proficiency.

Unyielding Defense and Composure

The Chiefs’ defense demonstrated unwavering composure, repelling their opponents with tactical precision and grit. Their defensive unit harmonized flawlessly, thwarting the opposition’s advances at every turn.

Resonating with the Fans

The Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory reverberated through the Kingdom, uniting fans in unbridled jubilation. The deep connection between the team and their supporters was evident, as the huge crowd of supporters screamed for victory and then went wild when Kansas City scored the winning touchdown.

The Legacy Continues

As the confetti fell and the Lombardi Trophy was lifted high by exuberant team members, the Chiefs reaffirmed their status as perennial contenders. The team not only won a place in history books, but forever cemented their worth in the hearts of Kansas City’s die-hard fans.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory is a testament to their strategic brilliance, competitive mettle, and ability to pivot quickly and work successfully together as a team no matter the odds.

That’s if for today folks! Hope you enjoyed reflecting on the Chief’s remarkable win. Check in next month for more stories about the great state of Kansas; Kansas City and the iconic Kansas City Chiefs. See you next time!

~ Scott Asner, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri 

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Tipping Point: Will New Faces on Defense Propel Chiefs to go all the way in 2019?

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Scott Asner

With the September 8 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars just weeks away, I’m excited about the Kansas City Chiefs’ prospects for 2019. Like every other Chiefs fan, I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time – ever since our heart-breaking overtime loss to the New England Patriots in last year’s AFC Championship game.

Unless you were living in a cave last season, it would have been impossible not to notice that second year-quarterback Patrick Mahomes lit up the scoreboard all season long, becoming just the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a single season. Mahomes led the chiefs to an impressive 12-4 regular season record, a performance that was good enough to earn Kansas City the AFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs – the first time the Chiefs reached the top seed in the conference since 1997. It was also good enough to earn Patrick Mahomes the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.

Despite having the NFL’s best offense and home-field advantage, I was still concerned the Chiefs might somehow find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when they faced the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round. After all, the Chiefs had lost the last six of their previous home playoff games and 4 of their last playoff games against Indianapolis.

My fears proved to be unfounded. Mahomes picked apart the Colts secondary and Kansas City’s unstoppable offense rolled up an impressive 31-13 victory to end 25 years of playoff drought.

Although the Chiefs fielded the best offense in the league, the defense – which ranked second to last among NFL teams in total defense – played inconsistently throughout the season. Despite performing well against Indianapolis in the divisional round, the defense collapsed in the second half of the AFC Conference Championship against New England, allowing the Patriots to run the ball into the end zone during the overtime period (and ending our dreams of Superbowl glory).

Following the conclusion of the 2018 season, the Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton and brought in Steve Spagnuolo, a veteran defensive guru who is known for running aggressive defenses and favoring unconventional blitzing schemes. Spagnuolo has a lot of experience coaching defense for winning teams, most notably the 2007 New York Giants Super Bowl team. He also worked previously as part of Andy Reid’s coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two years as a head coach with the St. Louis Rams.

In addition to changing the defensive coaching staff and going from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3, the Chiefs let some marquee players go. Gone are defensive lineman Allen Bailey, linebackers Justin Houston and Dee Ford, cornerback Steven Nelson and safety Eric Berry. Given the disaster that was the Chiefs’ secondary last year – not to mention Berry’s chronic injury issues – those moves should have come as no surprise. Losing veterans Dee Ford and Justin Houston DID surprise a lot of people, yet considering the move to a 4-3 defense, it may prove to be justified.

Their likely replacements include defensive linemen Frank Clark, a free agent acquisition formerly with the Seattle Seahawks and Alex Okafor, acquired from the New Orleans Saints. Along with linebacker Damien Wilson (Dallas Cowboys), all three of these players have significant experience playing in the 4-3 scheme. Adding to the mix are free agent defensive backs Bashard Breeland (Green Bay Packers) and Tyrann Mathieu (Houston Texans). Bashard, a cornerback who played with the Washington Redskins for three seasons, signed with the Packers last September. Despite playing in only 7 games last season, he amassed 20 tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions and a tackle for loss. Tyrann Mathieu is a veteran safety who will provide leadership and depth.

The new free agents will be joined by veteran stalwarts Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland at linebacker, defensive tackle Chris Jones (who just reported to training camp after a long holdout) and defensive backs Daniel Sorenson (safety) and Kendall Fuller (cornerback). Juan Thornhill, a second- round pick in the 2019 draft, has impressed in training camp and will likely compete with Sorenson for the starting free safety slot.

Will this makeover of the Chiefs defense be enough to take them over the threshold? No one can say for certain, but we will all know soon enough. One thing I do expect: a vastly improved Kansas City Chiefs defense.

~ Scott Asner Kansas City, Missouri

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