Award-winning Kansas City Star sports columnist Sam Mellinger ranked his top 50 most influential people in Kansas City sports history on Friday, profiling five individuals in the top 20 with ties to Sporting Kansas City.
Mellinger's list features club founder and American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt at No. 1, followed by current Manager and Sporting Director Peter Vermes at No. 8, co-owners Cliff Illig and the late Neal Patterson at No. 9, and current captain and hometown defender Matt Besler at No. 17.
Sam Mellinger's most influential people in KC sports history
- No. 1: Lamar Hunt (Sporting KC founder and owner until 2006)
- No. 8: Peter Vermes (Sporting KC Manager and Sporting Director and former player)
- No. 9: Cliff Illig and Neal Patterson (Leading members of the Sporting Club ownership group)
- No. 17: Matt Besler (Hometown defender and all-time club leader in appearances)
Read Mellinger's full column by clicking here.
