KSR - Hour 2: August 22, 2025

Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and KSR Crew
Guests: Craig Greenberg (Mayor of Louisville, co-owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling)

Overview

In this engaging episode of Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones and the crew broadcast live from the Volunteers of America Mid States Community Care Campus in Louisville. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, focusing on city issues like homelessness, sports, economic development, memorable stories from his career, and the intersection of politics and wrestling. The team also discusses high school and college football, UK basketball predictions, the potential NCAA football playoff expansion, and takes spirited calls from the audience.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Mayor Craig Greenberg Interview

Timestamps: 01:33–14:20

The Unlikely Intersection of Politics and Wrestling

• Matt recounts how Craig Greenberg sparked his journey into wrestling ownership.
• Quote [02:32, Craig Greenberg]: "I definitely think [wrestling and politics] have a lot in common... kind of the public persona... preparation is everything. So there is a lot more in common between professional wrestling and politics than I think any of us would like, but that's the world."

Handling Homelessness in Louisville

• Greenberg highlights progress on homelessness, emphasizing partnerships with Volunteers of America and private sectors.
• Focus on providing shelter, services, and medical respite.
• Quote [04:44, Greenberg]: "People who are homeless are struggling… So we have found that by providing more services and shelter, that's the ultimate solution. That's what people need. They need help and they need support."

Balancing Legal Enforcement and Support

• Matt presses on balancing law enforcement and compassion.
• Greenberg details how multiple stakeholders (police, social workers, housing developers) collaborate.
• "You make judgment calls on a daily basis." [05:41, Greenberg]

Celebrating Louisville's Sports Scene

• The return and restoration of UofL banners, and street-naming in honor of Tom Jurich.
• Quote [07:14, Greenberg]: "I would like to see [the 2013 championship restored]. I don't know what's going on with the NCAA these days, but if I can help lead the charge, I'm going to."
• Matt asks about supporting UK at UofL events; Greenberg advocates for in-state athletic camaraderie.
• Discussion on the economic impact of UofL sports for downtown Louisville.

Hosting Major Events & the Solheim Cup

• Greenberg hints at Louisville being in contention for a major international Olympic sport event in 2028, in addition to the Solheim Cup.
  • Quote [10:30, Greenberg]: "It is an Olympic sport, an international... If it happens, it would be in 2028. That's a hint."
• Discussion on PGA/LPGA events returning to Valhalla Golf Club.
• A candid account of the chaotic morning involving Scottie Scheffler’s arrest during the PGA event.
  • Quote [11:55, Greenberg]: "I just... on a group facetime with our chief of police... I literally sat on the top of my stairs... trying to get information because... that was one of the challenges in any real time."

Promoting the VOA Community Care Campus

• Greenberg describes the Community Care Campus as a "national model" for helping unhoused families and individuals regain stability.

2. Vince Marrow's Move to Louisville & Reflections

Timestamps: 15:38–17:56

• Discussion about Vince Marrow’s comments after switching from Kentucky to Louisville football staff.
• Reflections on behind-the-scenes dynamics and staff changes.
  • Quote [16:08, Ryan]: "I think that hurt Vince's feelings... I'm the guy brings in all these players. Why are you giving away some of my power to these other guys?"
• Notes on Marrow's unique contract and coaching compensation patterns.

3. High School Football Preview & Notable Players

Timestamps: 17:56–20:02

• Boyle County, Trinity, Saint X, and Paducah Tillman identified as top teams.
• Spotlight on standout players: Seneca Driver (Boyle County) and Tate Lorenzen (Fort Thomas Highlands, son of Jared Lorenzen).
• Anecdotal banter about mistaken game dates and high school traditions.

4. Listener Calls: Student Life & Empty Nesting

Timestamps: 20:16–21:47

• Callers share upcoming experiences, such as interviews at UK dental school and living alone.
• The crew discusses the emotional aspect of empty nest syndrome.
  • Quote [21:10, Ryan]: "For the people that are Empty nest syndrome. It's a real thing and it's awful. I hate Every second of it. And I'm just gonna have to start having more kids."

5. Predictions: Top 5 Kentucky Basketball Scorers

Timestamps: 21:47–23:24

• Hosts each draft their projected top five scorers for the UK basketball season, noting a wide variance and the depth of the new roster.
  • Matt: Lowe, Oweh, Diabate, Johnson, Chandler
  • Ryan: Oweh, Lowe, Aberdeen, "Yellow" (Yelolic?), Garrison
  • Shannon: Lowe, Oweh, Aberdeen, Johnson, Garrison
• Discussion of Jaden Quaintance’s potential impact once healthy.

6. UK Basketball Team at Natural Bridge & Team Building

Timestamps: 24:33–25:25

• The team is at Natural Bridge State Park for a chemistry-building outing.
• Debate over what to do at Natural Bridge and Matt’s musings on scenic bridges.

7. Lexington Park Opening & Parking Humor

Timestamps: 25:39–26:49

• Details on the opening of a new park in Lexington and anticipated crowds near Matt’s home.
• Jokes about playground safety and parking frustration.

8. College Football Playoff Expansion Debate

Timestamps: 26:49–31:17

• Analysis of the Big Ten’s pitch for a 28-team playoff vs. the SEC’s 16-team model.
• Matt makes a statistical case for broader playoffs based on the percentage of teams that get in, contending it could make college football more in line with other sports.
  • Quote [30:33, Matt]: "Of all the sports, the sport that has the smallest percentage of the teams... college football is the sport that has the smallest percentage of teams in it make the playoffs."
• Some callers favor a stricter cutoff, while hosts see 28 as a better chance for Kentucky.

9. Kentucky Basketball Games in Louisville's Yum! Center

Timestamps: 31:17–34:38

• Mayor Greenberg supports letting UK play marquee games in the Yum Center.
• The hosts reminisce about the unique and lively atmospheres at previous games in Louisville and Freedom Hall.

10. Rapid-Fire Football Picks & Bar Stories

Timestamps: 36:29–39:42

• Quick picks for college football’s week zero, with banter over teams and local favorites.
• Note on Dublin's flag mix-up for the Aer Lingus Classic provides comic relief.

11. Listener Stories: Driverless Cars and Uber Dogs

Timestamps: 39:44–42:09

• Callers recount their experiences with autonomous rideshares in Phoenix and an Uber driver who brought his dogs along.
• Hosts express skepticism and amusement over these transportation tales.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Craig Greenberg on Politics & Wrestling:
  "There is a lot more in common between professional wrestling and politics than I think any of us would like, but that's the world." (02:32)

• On Louisville’s Homelessness Strategy:
  "The solution, it's more housing units, it's more mental health providers... We're addressing the homelessness crisis but also, as importantly, helping these people get a new lease on life." (04:44, 13:44)

• Restoring UofL's 2013 Banner:
  "If I can help lead the charge, I'm going to. So we're looking into that." (07:14)

• Economic Importance of UofL Basketball:
  "It's 20 plus games a year at the UMP Center. If you have 20,000 people coming versus 8,000 people, that is a big difference." (09:12)

• On College Football Playoff Expansion:
  "If you're a Kentucky football fan like we all are, you want to go 28. There's been a couple years. We would have been in the playoffs at 28 and maybe even at 16." (27:54)

Tone & Atmosphere

True to KSR's character, the tone is conversational, humorous, and punctuated by local references and inside jokes. Despite covering significant topics like homelessness and economic development, the hosts maintain an approachable style, making the content lively and relatable. The interplay among co-hosts, guest, and callers preserves a communal and entertaining atmosphere throughout.

Additional Timestamps

• Craig Greenberg birthday celebration: 13:13–13:36
• High school preview and mistaken game dates: 18:04–19:06
• Listeners calling in with personal stories: 20:16–21:47
• Debate about playground safety at Matt's house: 25:39–26:49

Summary

This episode of KSR deftly weaves Louisville city issues and sports culture, delivering both insight and banter. The conversation with Mayor Greenberg offers a unique view into leadership, the continuing evolution of Louisville’s social services and sports, and local politics. The second half pivots to Kentucky-centric football and basketball discussions—providing predictions, hot takes, and laughter—before wrapping up with community calls and an entertaining run of football picks and odd Uber anecdotes. The episode stands as a vivid snapshot of Kentucky conversation: passionate, community-minded, and always ready for a good story.