Sports

SportsBeat KC: The analytics guy who stands at the intersection of sports and politics

It’s Election Day, and Star reporter Jesse Newell talks about the intersection of sports and politics on today’s podcast.
It’s Election Day, and Star reporter Jesse Newell talks about the intersection of sports and politics on today’s podcast. AP

Kansas City Star sportswriter Jesse Newell assumed a temporary assignment covering the local political landscape through the elections. And he’s heard from the “stick to sports” crowd. When he eventually returns to sports journalism, covering the Kansas Jayhawks, he figures he’ll get a few “stick to politics” suggestions.

For this Election Day show, Newell talks politics and sports with Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Sports and politics have crossed over plenty during the past few months,, from pro and college athletes engaging in voter-registration movements to teams like the Chiefs turning their playing venues into supplemental polling places.

After a break, the conversation turns to sports as Newell, an AP top 25 men’s basketball voter, shares his leaning on the preseason choice.

Story links:

If Biden wins, Politoco says this Kansas City name could be a candidate for Cabinet role

Jackson County is setting records for absentee ballots received. Here are the numbers

This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "SportsBeat KC: The analytics guy who stands at the intersection of sports and politics."

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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