Podcast Summary: Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, KY
Main Theme: Announcement of a new NFL podcast; lively discussion on UK sports atmosphere, donor concerns, event excitement, and broader sports topics.

Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio marks a big milestone for the KSR crew: Matt Jones and Drew Franklin have officially launched a new NFL-affiliated podcast, NFL Cover Zero. The crew spends much of this hour reflecting on the new endeavor, thanking their Kentucky fanbase, addressing college sports funding, the challenge of maintaining an energetic game-day atmosphere, and taking a number of colorful calls from listeners about UK football and basketball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Podcast Announcement: “NFL Cover Zero”

[02:29–10:15]

• Big News: Matt and Drew are starting NFL Cover Zero, a new NFL-sponsored podcast with the first episode already live.
• Unique Opportunity: The NFL approached them specifically for their Kentucky audience and their non-expert, relatable style.
• Format: Two episodes per week; one immediately after Sunday’s night game (aiming for real-time fan reaction), another in the middle of the week with guest appearances.
• Behind-the-Scenes: The transition includes new technical production (cameras, switchers, lighting, professional requirements).
• Challenges: Matt’s upcoming trip to South Africa means the team is figuring out how to record from abroad—even on safari!
• Shoutouts: Credits to Billy and Mario for stepping up production, and iHeart’s Lexington crew for their support.
• Emotional Reflection: Both Matt and Drew view this as a surreal, humbling opportunity, given their deep Kentucky roots and journey from small starts.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [03:41]:

  “The NFL is the biggest sports institution in America...and if you look at the other people doing podcasts with them, they’re all huge names. We've been working really hard on this for the last month.”

• Drew Franklin [04:48]:

  “Huge NFL fan. Every Sunday already, I'm watching every game...but it's been a big undertaking. Technical difficulties we have here—they don't let it slide on this.”

• Ryan Lemond [08:05]:

  “I'm like the proud papa...This is a huge deal to be on this platform for the NFL.”

2. London, Kentucky: Small Town Impeachment Drama

[10:15–12:49]

• Background: The city council in London, KY is facing an impeachment fight involving councilmembers and the mayor, drawing large public and online interest (even going viral on TikTok).
• Issues: Accusations that key councilmembers and possibly even the mayor may not live in the city.
• KSR Reaction: The crew is amused by the local drama, likening it to a show like “Justified,” with Drew joking about sending a correspondent.

Memorable Moment:

• Matt Jones [11:59]:

  “Who does anyone live in London?”

• Drew Franklin [12:30]:

  “This feels like an episode of Justified...Some sheriff going to come in and clean up the town.”

3. UK Donor Questions & NIL Concerns

[13:07–16:34]

• Caller Question: What happens if Kentucky’s major athletic donors step away someday, given limited options compared to other schools?
• Host Insight: Kentucky relies on a few major players, unlike other states where corporate connections are stronger due to Louisville’s dominance in business.
• Comparison: Alabama’s donor base vs. Kentucky’s; Tom Jurich’s success in connecting Louisville corporations with UofL.
• The Impact of Success: Winning makes fundraising easier; the next generation of donors is essential.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [13:50]:

  “We have a couple of people that do the biggest heavy lifting when it comes to donors at UK...They have major importance going forward. What happens after them?”

• Drew Franklin [15:39]:

  “Hopefully the next bajillionaire that likes Kentucky is in the middle of beginning their wealth right now.”

4. Game-Day Atmosphere & Fan Experience

[19:59–24:23; 34:30–35:31]

• Fan Complaints: Callers expressed concerns about missing game traditions (songs not played, flag not visible), poor timing of in-game chants, and subpar efforts to energize crowds during key moments.
• Hosts' Suggestions: The need for authentic crowd engagement and letting fan energy drive third-down defense, rather than forced chants.
• Past Solutions: Suggesting alumni (like Josh Allen or even Ryan Lemond himself) get involved to hype up fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [21:15]:

  “There is an art to entertaining. You either can do it or you can't...They don’t know how to do it.”

• Drew Franklin [22:31]:

  “Last Saturday you had Josh Allen, Ray Davis, Dion Walker there. Give him a microphone for a minute...just have him yell something.”

• Atmosphere at UK Games:

  • Issues raised about not displaying lyrics for key songs like "My Old Kentucky Home" and the fight song; hosts agree attention to detail matters for tradition and atmosphere.

5. College Athletics Business & Ticket Sales

[27:48–31:47]

• Alabama Ticketing Controversy: Alabama was found to be taking season ticket holder seats and reselling them on StubHub at inflated prices, bypassing transparency by funneling profits through private foundations.
• Hosts' Reactions: Angry at the lack of transparency by public universities, predicting this model may spread and urges that openness is necessary.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [30:21]:

  “What stops them from coming out and saying this game is sold out...and then sell tickets on StubHub for twice as much? ...That’s completely bogus...”

• Drew Franklin [31:18]:

  “Everything’s supposed to be out in the open for a public university.”

6. Coaching Burnout: Danny Hurley & Big Job Pressures

[23:27–26:14]

• Discussion: In response to a report that UConn’s Danny Hurley considered taking a year off after repeated national championships, the hosts reflect on the modern, relentless pressures of coaching.
• Parallels: Citing similar fatigue in John Calipari, Mark Stoops, and highlighting Rick Pitino as an exception to the rule.

Quotes:

• Matt Jones [25:07]:

  “Maybe he needs to burn the fuel just a little less strong. But some people, if they don’t act like that, they can’t be successful.”

7. In-Game Football Management: Replay Challenges

[31:48–34:28]

• Caller Grievance: UK’s football staff failed to quickly snap the ball after a questionable big gain, allowing time for a replay review that overturned the play.
• KSR Critique: Frustration that the program still lacks basic urgency in these moments; urges a system for quick, “go” plays after potential reversals.

8. Competing Game-Day Options & The Pressure on Experience

[34:48–47:28]

• Hosts & Callers: With the modern convenience of watching games at home, on a boat, or at sports bars, fans are thinking twice about investing time and money in live attendance when in-stadium atmosphere disappoints.
• Message to UK: The university needs to step up both on-field and in-stadium experiences to keep fans investing their dollars and attention.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [35:54]:

  “It’s not a given that you get everybody’s entertainment dollar. There are so many options that people have...”

• Caller [45:20]:

  “There’s other options. I mean, and a lot of other options. And that was...very underwhelming…If we’re not competitive Saturday...[attendance] will drop.”

9. Lighter Moments, Food & Trademark KSR Banter

[43:36–44:42]

• Fun with Food:
  • KS Bar's menu items getting UK player-themed pun names (e.g. “Clubby Smith”, “Shea Grilled Cheese Alexander”, “Jamel Martini”).
  • Listener suggests “Cheese Hogs” for the cheese logs appetizer.
• Listener Engagement:
  • Jokes about Drew potentially singing Limp Bizkit and wearing a goatee if UK wins against Ole Miss.
  • The humor is in classic, light KSR style.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• NFL Cover Zero Announcement & Details: [02:29 – 10:15]
• London, KY Impeachment Drama: [10:15 – 12:49]
• Kentucky NIL & Donor Strategies: [13:07 – 16:34]
• Alabama Ticket Resale Controversy: [27:48 – 31:47]
• Game-Day Atmosphere & Fan Experience Issues: [19:59 – 24:23], [34:30–35:31]
• Danny Hurley’s Coaching Burnout: [23:27–26:14]
• Replay Nonchalance Critique: [31:48–34:28]
• Callers Venting About Atmosphere, Money, & Options: [34:48–47:28]
• Food & Fun Segment: [43:36–44:42]

Memorable Quotes

• Matt Jones [03:41]: “The NFL is the biggest sports institution in America...and if you look at the other people doing podcasts with them, they’re all huge names.”
• Drew Franklin [04:48]: “Huge NFL fan. Every Sunday already, I'm watching every game...but it's been a big undertaking.”
• Ryan Lemond [08:05]: “I'm like the proud papa...This is a huge deal to be on this platform for the NFL.”
• Matt Jones [21:15]: “There is an art to entertaining. You either can do it or you can't...They don’t know how to do it.”
• Matt Jones [27:48]: “Alabama is actually selling their tickets now on secondary sites with the theory that it will drive the ticket price up...”
• Caller [45:20]: “There’s other options...if we're not competitive Saturday, [attendance] will drop.”

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Tone: Conversational, humorous, occasionally incredulous, and distinctly Kentucky.
• Big Takeaway: KSR’s NFL Cover Zero podcast is both a personal milestone and a nod to the show’s deep connection with Kentucky fans. Themes of loyalty, evolution, and staying relevant in changing times shine through—whether that’s in podcasting, coaching, giving, or just making sure game day is fun.