Diego Gutiérrez, director of Rockhurst University’s Sport Management Program and assistant professor of marketing, has been named “the subject matter expert on all things World Cup” for WDAF FOX4, WDAF+ and Spanish-language station LaGrande 1340 AM for coverage of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
“What this means is I am involved in strategy, planning, and on-air coverage of the buildup and the tournament itself; I’ll be in studio, on location, and at the stadium to cover an assortment of topics,” Gutiérrez said.
Born in Colombia, Gutiérrez came to the United States to play soccer at Rockhurst, where he was a two-time NAIA All-American in 1994 and 1995. He helped lead the Hawks to a 44-9-1 record and a pair of NAIA national tournament appearances, scoring 35 goals in two seasons. He was inducted into the Rockhurst Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
After graduating with a degree in psychology, he was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in 1996 and went on to play 13 seasons in MLS with Kansas City and Chicago, winning the 1998 MLS Cup and three U.S. Open Cups. He later returned to Rockhurst for an Executive MBA and earned a doctorate in business administration from Creighton University.
“Rockhurst has been part of my life for over 30 years,” he said. “It’s always felt like home.”
He said his background as both a player and a front office executive gives him a perspective most analysts cannot offer.
“Being a former player gives you the ability to speak about the game itself,” he said. “Being a former executive, I understand the level of organization, collaboration, and execution that is needed to make sure the tournament goes.”
Gutiérrez played for the U.S. Men’s National Team and understands the business of the sport. He knows how Kansas City’s role in the World Cup can elevate the city into conversations it has never been part of before, and says being the local voice for that moment is what excites him most.
“Perhaps most exciting to me is to have the ability to provide a local voice to the experience, to be able to speak to what we can expect, what to watch for, and how this experience relates to all of us in the Heartland,” he said. “I’m excited about the opportunity and the responsibility.”
One storyline Gutiérrez plans to emphasize is the concept of basecamps, the training and lodging hubs that competing nations select during the tournament. He said the Kansas City region has secured an unusual distinction heading into the event.
“It is a massive accomplishment to say that three of the top 7 teams in the world have chosen our area to stay in while competing. No other city has more than one team.”
He also said Kansas City’s character as a city gives it a unique appeal for teams in the tournament.
“Certainly, our location may provide a competitive advantage,” he said. “The relatively quiet nature of our city is also enticing for those teams that are looking for a calmer, less distraction destination.”
Gutiérrez hopes to establish relationships during the tournament that will open doors for internships and experiential learning opportunities for students in the Sport Management Program. His experience will also bring valuable insight to the classroom.
“Doing something for a long period of time, spending time in a specific industry, and then trying to teach about it, brings much more value, stories, and perhaps quality to what we are trying to teach in our Sport Management program,” he said.
For students considering careers in sports media or administration, Gutiérrez offered straightforward advice.
“Be curious about what’s out there, and seek out a mentor who can help you navigate decisions and open doors,” he said.
