KC-based Company Tico Sports provides Spanish broadcasts for Chiefs, Current, and more
MISSION, Kan. (KCTV) - It all started when Tico Sports founder Oscar Monterroso moved to America in 1996 for school. Through that, he was able to work with several outlets, from Telemundo to Univision to Fox.
His first exposure to the NFL came after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm forced the New Orleans Saints to play some of their season in San Antonio, TX, where Monterroso lived at the time.
“This was the first time I watched these big giants with their helmets and stuff like that, but I wasn’t understanding what the game was about,” said Monterroso. “I got to Kansas City in 2008 and always knew I wanted my own business. I started with Tico Productions. By 2010 I am the color commentator for the Kansas City Chiefs in Spanish. By 2016, we are founding Tico Sports.”
He says it was all about providing a quality broadcast for the Spanish-speaking audience. Tico Sports has continued to grow, now providing broadcasts for 6 NFL teams and several other sports in the Kansas City area, including the KC Current.
“I think it is important to have a Spanish broadcast,” said Monterroso. “Why? Because we have generations that are here that may be bilingual, maybe they just speak Spanish and are learning English and are watching the game on tv but wonder what they are saying. When they can tune to us, we are actually bringing it to them in Spanish, in their language”
He stressed they aren’t translating another broadcast: it’s their commentary in their language.
“So, we are bringing our own terms,” said Monterroso. “When there is a fumble and everybody jumps on top of the ball, I call it ‘la bola de carne’. I call it ‘the meatball’. It’s the way I see it and describe it, it’s what I know my audience is going to be able to understand while at the same time having a little fun.”
Alongside him in the booth is color analyst Hannah Bassham.
“I started out as a spotter and statistician, worked my way to sideline reporter, and now I am the color analyst for the broadcast,” said Bassham. “It’s been fantastic. I am such a fan, not only of the organization and the players, but of the game itself.”
For Bassham, this has allowed her to honor her ancestors, culture, and the tradition of her language.
“Getting to broadcast the Chiefs games in Spanish is personally important to me because I have so many family members, especially my grandmother who only speaks Spanish,” said Bassham. “It’s also important to provide access to Spanish speakers who are interested in the game and interested in learning about the game at a higher level because the game has so many intricate aspects. To be able to do storytelling in detailed, accurate, responsible ways is important because it allows fans to feel educated, part of the fandom, and they are able to see that their culture is being acknowledged as well.”
Their broadcast has continued to grow not just in Kansas City, but on an international scale. Monterroso is excited for the future.
“When we started with the Kansas City Chiefs I wanted to bring a quality broadcast,” said Monterroso. “Then when the Raiders called and the Ravens called and the Jaguars called, that was something I was not expecting. What I would like to see for Tico Sports in 5 years is to have at least half of the teams under our belt. Maybe all of them, I don’t know or be the official Spanish broadcaster for the NFL. We are in America, in the United States. This is the American dream.”
More can be learned on the Tico Sports website.
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