Kansas City has detailed plans for a new Royals ballpark at Washington Square Park, offering to contribute $600 million to the stadium’s $1.9 billion price tag.

Is this the Royals’ future? Well, a few questions remain.

Star columnist Sam McDowell, who helped break the news of the stadium proposal, identified what obstacles may lie ahead on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Also, a talent drain is taking shape on the Kansas basketball program. Seven players have already entered the transfer portal, with just one announcing that he was staying. And no player from another program has announced he was joining the Jayhawks.

KU beat writer Shreyas Laddha discusses why for the second straight year, KU seems to be playing catch-up in the portal.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:15 — Is the downtown ballpark actually happening?

7:00 — What would the nearby stadium district look like?

11:55 — KU’s transfer portal madness

26:22 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won’t be suspended by the NFL, plus KC picked up a former first-round cornerback in Kaiir Elam. Those two positions will be a priority when the Chiefs are on the clock for the NFL Draft later this month. Will they have an impact on the Chiefs’ plans?

After the break, former professional soccer star Matt Besler talks the World Cup, and what Kansas City should expect when the games and base camps arrive in June.

Besler would know — He was a starting defender on the 2014 U.S. World Cup team that emerged from the group stage to the knockout round in Brazil.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:15 — Rashee Rice won’t be suspended. How does that affect Chiefs’ plans?

7:20 — Chiefs take flyer on former first-round cornerback

14:09 — The first Kansas Citian to play in the World Cup talks the base camp experience

19:02 — Is Kansas City ready for the World Cup?

24:26 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Opening day at The K was a success for the Royals, who beat the Minnesota Twins in the first home game. But only a handful of home openers at Kauffman Stadium remain for the team that’s actively looking for a new stadium. So where will it be built — and why has it taken this long?

Royals principal owner John Sherman addressed those questions before Monday’s game. Star columnists San McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed the topic on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Then, between games and base camps, at least 10 national teams will spend time in Kansas City during the FIFA World Cup. None is smaller — or perhaps more excited — than the Caribbean island nation of Curacao.

By area and population, it’s the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup.

Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, told us how his team is preparing for the global stage … and Kansas City.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:15 — John Sherman’s latest update on a new Royals stadium

11:04 — How Royals looked on Opening day at The K

17:31 — Curacao’s World Cup journey & what KC can expect

36:20 — What else is on Blair’s radar?