Kansas City Current have dedicated their new press box to the late Grant Wahl, who was a KC native and a trailblazer in American soccer coverage.
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Current set to open new stadium in 2024Dedicate new press box to Grant WahlAmerican journalist passed during 2022 World CupWHAT HAPPENED?
A group gathered at the soon-to-be-open CKPC Stadium on Thursday for the dedication of at the Current's new grounds. The late journalist was beyond an influential figure in American soccer – both men's and women's – but also a dedicated fan of the game, who helped popularize the sport across the world. Wahl's memory will forever be remembered now with the beautiful tribute, to what his brother, Eric Wahl, believes will be a place of 'inspiration' for future journalists.
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Grant passed in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, suffering an aortic aneurysm during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands. Following his passing, U.S. soccer released the following statement: "The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.
"Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in, and respect for, our beautiful game. "As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. "Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us."
Now, nearly one year later, the Current are dedicating their new home to the brilliant and forever influential Wahl.
WHAT CURRENT CO-OWNERS ANGIE & CHRIS LONG SAID
Speaking to the KC Star, Angie Long said: “His life’s work was growing this game in this country, and I don’t think there’s any more physical manifestation of it than this,” said Long, who attended High School with Wahl. “And for a woman’s team, as well, which he was equally as passionate about.”
“We hope this also inspires others to be as unselfish and as honest and to have as much foresight as he did,” added Long. “Because I think when this country didn’t know very much about soccer, Grant did. And when it wasn’t a thing to support female athletes and to really believe in and push for equality in the game, Grant did. He was a leader in so many ways.”
In a press release, Long added: “Grant was one of the first people we consulted with the idea of founding an NWSL team in Kansas City. His grounded advice, deep understanding of the soccer ecosystem, connections and thoughtful suggestions were critical ingredients to our decision to launch a new team on an unprecedented timeframe.”
“Giving us even more conviction around our facilities vision, Grant was particularly drawn to the idea of having the first stadium built for a women’s professional team right in his hometown of Kansas City,” said co-owner and founder Chris Long. “The Kansas City Current will always be grateful to Grant for his pivotal role in the launch of the Club.”
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WHAT WAHL'S FAMILY SAID
In a press release, Wahl's brother Eric said: “Grant and I were born and raised here in Kansas City and our lives were shaped by the sports culture in this region, but more specifically, by those who told those stories through the media. This is a great honor to our family. I hope that those journalists that come through this press box will see Grant’s dedication to telling the personal, challenging and compelling stories of this sport and its athletes, then seek to celebrate and elevate them through stories he would be proud to hear.”
Wahl's wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, added: “My family and I are thankful that my husband Grant Wahl is being recognized in this way. It is my hope that future generations of sports journalists sitting in this press box will be inspired to carry on Grant's legacy: holding those in power to account, advocating for human rights and equity and understanding that ‘stick to sports’ is a false mantra. As Ted Lasso said, ‘Soccer is life’. When sports are divorced from everything else in life, they are gutted of their essence and meaning.”