Yahoo Lifestyle Sports Reporter Dead at 27 While on Assignment in New Orleans
Sports reporter Adan Manzano has died. He was 27 years old.
Manzano was on assignment in New Orleans, covering the upcoming Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles for a local Kansas City television station, when he suddenly passed away, according to Telemundo’s affiliate in Kansas City.
"We are saddened to share that Adan Manzano passed away yesterday in New Orleans, while on assignment to cover the Super Bowl for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports,” Telemundo shared in a statement uploaded to Instagram on Thursday, Feb. 6. “We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic event.”
"As KGKC's Sports Anchor & Reporter, Adan was a true professional and a rising star, who exemplified excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports, and the contributions he made to the local community," the emotional tribute concluded, "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Steve Downing, general manager of Telemundo KC, told local reporters that Manzano passed away in his hotel room and that no foul play is suspected. Other details related to the investigation, including his cause of death, were not immediately available.
Several big players in the Kansas City sports arena have already paid tribute to Manzano, including the KC Currents, who called him "a cherished member of the Kansas City soccer community."
"His legacy and impact will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Adan's loved ones," the team–which is co-owned by Chiefs quarterback Patrick and Brittany Mahomes–wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Our hearts are grieving today with our Telemundo and TICO family. Adan was a cherished member of the Kansas City soccer community, and his legacy and impact will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Adan's loved ones. https://t.co/LaWERyUDYc
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) February 6, 2025
Sporting Kansas City mourns the passing of Adan Manzano. Adan covered Sporting KC and all sports in Kansas City with class and passion for the past five years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at Telemundo KC at this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/QojuTOw3DW
— Sporting KC Communications (@SportingKC_PR) February 6, 2025
Prior to joining Telemundo Kansas City as a sports anchor in April 2021, Manzano previously worked for several other Spanish language media outlets, including La Semana del Sur newspaper, Reyes Media Group and Sky Sports México, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Along with his impressive sports journalism career, Manzano was a father of a young daughter and a recent widow. His wife, Ashleigh Boyd, tragically died in April 2024 in a car crash at the age of 24; their daughter–who was 1 at the time of the accident–was also in the car, but she, thankfully, survived.
