Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 1 (August 13, 2025)

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Shannon "The Dude"
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Introduction

In the August 13, 2025 episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), host Matt Jones, alongside co-hosts Drew Franklin and Shannon "The Dude," delves deep into a significant development in UK sports: the newly signed 15-year deal between the University of Kentucky (UK) and JMI for a substantial $465 million partnership. This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the implications, benefits, and concerns surrounding this deal, especially in the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements.

UK and JMI's 15-Year Deal: An Overview

The primary focus of the discussion centers on the monumental deal between UK and JMI, valued at $465 million over 15 years. This agreement is poised to reshape the financial and operational aspects of UK athletics, particularly in basketball and football.

• Revenue Sharing Secured:

  • Matt Jones emphasizes, "The rev share is now paid for, by the way... As costs of other things go up, remember that the rev share is paid for by this" (07:05).

• Allocation of Funds:
  Each coach will receive a designated budget to manage their team's finances. For instance, Mark Stoops might be allocated $15 million to distribute among his staff and players.

Concerns Over JMI's Management of NIL Deals

Despite the financial boon, the co-hosts express significant reservations about JMI's capability to handle modern NIL deals effectively.

• Limited Experience:
  Drew Franklin points out, "JMI only does the media rights for three major schools. We're the only one... Is that going to work? We'll see" (12:24). This limited experience with major institutions raises questions about JMI's ability to manage UK’s expansive NIL requirements.

• Modern Media Handling:
  Matt Jones voices his apprehension, stating, "UK Athletics is now JMI and JMI is now UK Athletics. Will it work? I hope so" (13:33). He criticizes JMI for being behind the times in media relations, which is crucial for effective NIL management.

• Potential Impact on Player Recruitment:
  The transition of NIL responsibilities to JMI could influence recruiting, as players might prefer institutions with more robust and flexible NIL support systems.

Comparisons with Other Institutions

The episode contrasts UK’s deal with those of other universities to highlight potential pitfalls and advantages.

• Learfield vs. JMI:
  Drew Franklin mentions, "Learfield... how many schools are they doing it for? Three... But we're the only one that... giving it all to one company who doesn't have any other schools" (12:24). This comparison underscores concerns about the exclusivity and scalability of JMI's partnership with UK.

• Unique Positioning of UK:
  UK stands alone in relinquishing its private collective partners entirely to JMI, unlike UCLA and Notre Dame, which maintain selective partnerships.

Financial Implications and Future Outlook

While the deal ensures a stable revenue stream, uncertainties remain regarding JMI's adaptability and the long-term benefits for UK athletics.

• Financial Security:
  Matt Jones acknowledges, "That is good. But I do think this is going to be an extremely important change for the future of UK sports" (07:40), highlighting the financial security the deal brings.

• Long-Term Concerns:
  The potential rigidity of a 15-year contract ties UK closely to JMI, limiting flexibility in adapting to future changes in the NIL landscape.

• Societal and Legal Factors:
  The success of the deal is also contingent upon legislative actions, as Matt Jones states, "This deal... assumes Congress is going to pass legislation. If Congress passes legislation, this can work. If they don't, it won't" (27:06).

Listener Engagement and Professional Insights

The hosts take numerous calls from listeners expressing both support and skepticism regarding the UK-JMI partnership.

• Listener Concerns:
  Callers question JMI’s role as a "fun killer" and its stringent control over NIL deals, fearing it could stifle creativity and flexibility.

• Expert Opinions:
  Drew Franklin shares insights from coaches at other SEC schools, reflecting widespread apprehension about the centralized NIL management approach JMI advocates.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a cautious outlook on UK’s partnership with JMI. While the financial aspects are undeniably beneficial, the execution and management of NIL deals present significant challenges. The hosts remain hopeful yet vigilant, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the partnership's progress and its impact on UK’s athletic programs.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones:
  "The rev share is now paid for... that's a lot of money." (07:05)
  "UK Athletics is now JMI and JMI is now UK Athletics. Will it work? I hope so." (13:33)
  "This deal... assumes Congress is going to pass legislation. If Congress passes legislation, this can work. If they don't, it won't." (27:06)

• Drew Franklin:
  "We're the only one. We are the only one school in the country that will have a relationship like this with JMI." (12:24)
  "If they are, maybe it still will work. I can tell you I had multiple people write me from other schools and go, you should be a little worried about this." (13:33)
  "Stokes will be their first test, and it's not just on them." (29:03)

• Shannon "The Dude":
  "Nor do I care. I'm currently suffering from a failure to give a damn about anything that Allen Cutler says." (05:36)

Clip Timestamps

• 00:00 - 02:16: Advertisements and promotions (Skipped)
• 02:16 - 27:46: Main discussion on UK-JMI deal and its implications
• 27:46 - 50:54: Listener calls, further analysis, and off-topic discussions
• 50:54 - End: Concluding remarks and additional advertisements (Skipped)

Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented during the episode.