Podcast Summary: KSR – Hour 2 (June 6, 2025)

Host: Matt Jones
Co-Hosts: Ryan Lemon and Drew Franklin
Location: Virginia Great Crowd Historic Theater, Downtown Somerset
Release Date: June 6, 2025

1. Live Event Highlights and Upcoming Performances

Ryan Lemon kicked off the second hour by welcoming a vibrant crowd in Somerset, praising the enthusiastic turnout for one of the best crowds they've ever had in June. The hosts expressed gratitude towards listeners who traveled to attend the event, emphasizing the unique atmosphere that summer brings to their show.

Notable Announcement:

• Drew Franklin revealed exciting upcoming events, including a special performance by John Schneider from The Dukes of Hazzard on Friday, June 27. Additionally, Ryan Lemon shared the thrilling news that the iconic General Lee will be performing a dramatic fountain jump on Saturday, June 28, a nod to the beloved classic car from the TV series.

  Drew Franklin [03:30]: "Friday, June 27, John Schneider from the Dukes of Hazard is going to perform on this stage. But wait, there's more. The next day On Saturday the 28th, the General Lee is going to jump the fountain here in downtown Somerset."

  Ryan Lemon [03:43]: "That is amazing. That is."

The hosts humorously debated the logistics and excitement surrounding the General Lee's stunt, ensuring listeners are eagerly anticipating these events.

2. University of Kentucky (UK) Sports Funding Debate

A significant portion of the discussion centered around the allocation of funds within UK’s athletic programs, particularly the debate over investing in men's baseball versus women’s basketball.

Key Points:

• Ryan Lemon posed a hypothetical scenario asking which sport the university should prioritize if faced with funding constraints—baseball or women’s basketball. Both co-hosts expressed their preferences, with Ryan advocating for a greater investment in women's basketball, citing better performance prospects and fan support.

  Ryan Lemon [05:22]: "What are you doing at Kentucky?... If you say you can't do that, I would say you got to give a little more to women's basketball."

  Matt Jones [05:22]: "I would prefer to split it evenly. But... give a little more to women's basketball."

• Drew Franklin supported investing in baseball, referencing the team's recent participation in the College World Series and elite tournament performances.

  Drew Franklin [05:55]: "I guess I'll get the argument for baseball then. Went to the College World Series. We did last year."

The discussion highlighted the strategic considerations of balancing sports funding to maximize both competitive success and community engagement.

Conclusion: The hosts leaned towards favoring women’s basketball for funding due to its burgeoning success and stronger fan base, though they acknowledged the merits of investing in baseball.

3. NBA Finals Recap and Highlights

Ryan Lemon transitioned into sports action by discussing the recent NBA Finals, specifically highlighting a dramatic game between the Thunder and the Pacers.

Notable Moment:

• The game featured a last-second shot by Tyrese Halliburton, which was initially commented on by co-host Rick, leading to a comedic interruption when Ryan attempted to replay the "Korean call" of the game.

  Ryan Lemon [06:58]: "Now, in part due to the weather, we don't see balls in Europe, Japan or China as large as NASCAR, we just kind of adapted."

  Rick [07:23]: "That was premature regulation there."

The episode captured the excitement surrounding close finishes and the unique cultural commentary provided by the hosts, making the segment engaging for both sports enthusiasts and casual listeners.

4. Impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) on College Sports

A critical and in-depth conversation emerged around the NIL policies and their financial implications for university sports programs.

Discussion Highlights:

• Ryan Lemon expressed concerns about equitable money distribution between men’s and women’s sports, referencing recent administrative opinions and Title IX regulations.

  Ryan Lemon [25:22]: "When NIL started, the Biden administration, the DOJ, put out an opinion that they thought it needed to be shared... They still have to provide the same number of scholarships, but they do not have to provide the same amount of revenue."

• The hosts debated which sports might struggle financially under current NIL frameworks, with specific mentions of swimming, golf, and tennis as potential areas of concern due to their large rosters and lower revenue generation.

  Ryan Lemon [26:22]: "I think they are in trouble. So swimming is an example of something with a big roster that doesn't bring in money."

• Drew Franklin and Matt Jones contributed by discussing strategies for funding, suggesting that reallocating existing NIL revenues might alleviate some disparities.

  Drew Franklin [26:22]: "You just yell at your kids growing up."

Conclusion: The conversation underscored the complexities of NIL policies, emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning to ensure that all sports programs can thrive without compromising equity and compliance.

5. Community Response to Recent Tornado

The hosts took a heartfelt pause to address the recent tornado that struck the Somerset area, particularly impacting London, Kentucky.

Key Points:

• Ryan Lemon extended prayers and support to those affected, acknowledging both the severe damage and the commendable community efforts in disaster relief.

  Ryan Lemon [28:18]: "Prayers for all those folks. I've heard from people in the Laurel county area that the efforts from both private citizens and the government has gone very well so far."

• Drew Franklin highlighted a local benefit concert that successfully raised $10,000 for tornado relief efforts and mentioned the UK baseball team's involvement in cleanup operations.

  Drew Franklin [29:34]: "The benefit concert they had just here on this stage last Saturday raised $10,000 for the tornado relief victims here in Somerset and London."

Conclusion: The segment showcased the resilience and solidarity of the local community, praising the swift and effective mobilization of both individuals and organizations in the face of natural disasters.

6. High School Sports Tournament Updates

The podcast provided updates on local high school sports, particularly focusing on recent victories and ongoing tournaments.

Highlights:

• Ryan Lemon and Drew Franklin discussed the Wolf County Wolves' first state tournament appearance in 30 years, celebrating their comeback victory against Harrison County with a score of 4-3.

  Ryan Lemon [24:10]: "They were down 3 nothing and scored 4 runs in the last inning."

• They also covered the softball tournament, noting upsets like Boyle County and Rowan County's close games, as well as Davis County's victory over the defending champions, South Warren.

  Drew Franklin [24:52]: "Boyle county had a rough day. They lost also in softball to Rowan County 3 to 2."

Conclusion: The hosts celebrated the achievements of local high school teams, highlighting unexpected victories and encouraging continued support for youth sports.

7. Notable Local Sports Dynamics and Coaching Changes

A segment delved into the relationships and dynamics between local sports coaches, drawing parallels to high-profile national figures.

Key Discussion:

• The hosts recounted the strained relationship between Cal Robic and his colleague, comparing it to high-profile public breakups in sports leadership, like Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

  Ryan Lemon [31:08]: "But I do think Cal and Robick, that relationship ended with animosity. A relationship that was very close for a long, long time. That's... Can you think of any others from the years past before that where it ended?"

• They reflected on how such breakups can impact team morale and performance, using historical examples to illustrate potential future scenarios.

  Matt Jones [32:32]: "That's what's so sad about the robot cow thing. They were so close for so long. Shared that same office for years and years and years. And when it broke up, it got nasty."

Conclusion: The discussion highlighted the human element behind sports management, emphasizing how interpersonal relationships among coaches can have profound effects on athletic programs.

8. Future of College Sports Funding and Revenue Sharing

Looking ahead, Ryan Lemon and the crew speculated on emerging trends in college sports funding, particularly concerning revenue sharing and advertising.

Insights:

• Predicting that colleges might adopt advertisements on jerseys similar to the NBA, with subtle placements to maintain aesthetics.

  Ryan Lemon [38:37]: "They're all going to do it. Now, I don't think they'll be gaudy. I think it'll be like in the NBA, like, if you watch the NBA finals, like, right here on the shoulder, there'll be a little patch."

• Discussed the possibility of universities partnering with investment funds to sell shares of their athletic departments, enabling private investment while maintaining public ownership of academic sectors.

  Ryan Lemon [38:36]: "One of them is putting the name, putting ads on the jersey... The second thing is one of these schools is going to take... They're going to sell a piece of it."

Conclusion: The hosts foresaw significant transformations in how college sports programs secure funding, balancing commercial interests with traditional academic values.

9. Final Remarks and Community Shout-Outs

As the episode neared its end, the hosts extended their appreciation to the Somerset community and acknowledged local milestones.

Highlights:

• Ryan Lemon congratulated Henry and Sharon Lee on their 50th anniversary and thanked the community for their continued support.

  Ryan Lemon [45:50]: "Happy 50th anniversary to Henry and Sharon Lee out there and thank you to everyone."

• Announced the local band Shannon's upcoming concert at 8:00 PM, encouraging listeners to attend and support local music.

  Matt Jones [45:33]: "I was going to sell it, but I didn't know it was Hunter Green bobblehead now."

Conclusion: The episode closed on a positive note, reinforcing community bonds and promoting local events, ensuring listeners felt connected and appreciated.

Conclusion

This episode of KSR – Hour 2 provided a dynamic blend of local sports insights, community updates, and forward-looking discussions on the evolving landscape of college athletics. The hosts adeptly balanced serious topics like disaster relief and funding debates with lighter moments celebrating local achievements and upcoming events, delivering a comprehensive and engaging experience for their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Lemon [05:22]: "I think we have a better chance of being really good at women's basketball than baseball..."
• Drew Franklin [29:34]: "The benefit concert they had just here on this stage last Saturday raised $10,000 for the tornado relief victims..."
• Ryan Lemon [38:37]: "Once one of them does, they’re all going to do it."

Listeners can tune in next week for more updates and discussions on UK sports and community happenings.