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Shannon
So you're telling me that the AI.
Matt Jones
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Shannon
To late night TV comedy of Broadway in Lexington welcomes Joe List December 4th through the 6th. Then, from her podcast disgraceful catch, Grace O' Malley December 11th through the 13th and December 18th through the 20th from.
Matt Jones
The FX comedy series English Teacher, don't miss Sean Patton. For tickets to all comedy off Broadway.
Shannon
Shows, call 859271, joke or visit comedyoff broadway.com. this is Kentucky Sports Radio, presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome, everyone. It is Kentucky sports radio. Hey, December 17th. I am Matt Jones here in the studio in Lexington, Kentucky. You can give a shout on the Clark's Puppet shop phone line 859-280-2287. A Vision Auto Glass text machine is 772-774-5254. In this session, sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office, called TJ. He'll make them pay. It has been a disaster for the workforce of Kentucky Sports Radio. They're just falling like flies in the last few days.
Shannon
What's going on?
Matt Jones
You know, Ryan, he had a wreck, so he's okay, but he's out. Drew can't move because of his back. The back per capita injuries for this show with me and him both. So he's out. We were going to have a guest but he got pulled today for reasons I can't even go into. It's crazy. Like they drop like flies when. When it's Annabelle, I guess.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
So it's me and you.
Shannon
That's right.
Matt Jones
Old school. This is the way it was. And what year did you start with KSR, Shane?
Shannon
2011. March 2011. Yeah.
Matt Jones
So year one was me and Zach and then Shannon came on in 2011. We've talked a lot about the historic first day where both of us at the end demanded to not work with the other.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And. But we did a period of time where it was just me and you.
Shannon
It was right.
Matt Jones
Just me and you sitting here. And we tried people out. Do you remember who all we tried out back then? Not tried out. Tried out's not fair. It was just kind of see what the vibe was like. Let's. Who were some people back?
Shannon
Mark Krebs.
Matt Jones
Mark Krebs is one we use a lot.
Shannon
Perrin, Johnson.
Matt Jones
Perrin, we used a lot. Who's now a salesperson for I Heart Mike. You know that.
Shannon
Yeah, he's right around the corner here. Mike. Mike Pratt used to come.
Matt Jones
Pratt would come in quite a bit. Those were probably the three major ones, but we had a lot more come in. Wukosh, Orb, Zoot.
Shannon
That's right. Yeah.
Matt Jones
My friend Johnny Bruce came in a couple days. Yeah, we had a lot of random people.
Shannon
Romans.
Matt Jones
Romans, that's right. And then one day Ryan came in and you know, you see, that intellect.
Shannon
Russ was history after Ryan.
Matt Jones
You can't let it go. When you have that intellect, Shannon, you can't let that go.
Shannon
That's right. That's true. Talent right there.
Matt Jones
That's true talent. You can't say. So then we were like, okay, that's it. But there was a lot of period that was me and you. And so today is almost an old school Matt and Shannon day. Kind of like back then I used to be able to look through a window and see you.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Now I can't do that anymore. But I'm looking through this camera screen and seeing you Mario's roaming around behind. We didn't have a Mario back then. We did have Maria answering the phone. My Maria, who now is one of the executives at On3 Sports.
Shannon
That's right.
Matt Jones
Which is really an amazing thing, people. She came up to me at an Alabama Vanderbilt game. Basketball. She was a former UK student working in the media department at Vandy. And she said, I'm going to be moving back to Louisville. If there's anything I can do, let me. And it was the perfect timing because I was like, well, we need somebody to answer the phones. You want to come answer the phones? And now she is like one of the higher ups at on three sports. That isn't that crazy?
Shannon
Great story. Yeah, it is. I would love to have somebody in here answering the phones for me right now because I have to do it all by myself now. But yeah, that is a great story that, you know, just from a conversation comes into case.
Matt Jones
She seemed very nice. She was helping me. I was working for CBS Sports and I was doing the Alabama Vandy basketball game and she worked in the Vandy sports relations department. Start. And now many years later. So I mean it's a very cool. You never know what's going to happen. Shannon. The dude.
Shannon
That's right. And I think just for old times sake that you should pull up your Facebook and give some shout outs for birthdays because we used to do this. That was the worst gimmick in radio history. And for some reason we thought, why.
Matt Jones
Was it the worst? I went every day.
Shannon
Because nobody knew who you were talking about except for the person. They probably won't even listen to the show to begin with. It was just a random person.
Matt Jones
Sure. But I would just go through my Facebook and if it was somebody's birthday, I would say this is somebody's birthday. Right?
Shannon
Yeah. But nobody. But nobody cared.
Matt Jones
I understand. Well, let me see whose birthday it is today. Never mind. Fine. You've already ruined the gimmick.
Shannon
Can you even still do that on Facebook?
Matt Jones
I don't know if you can. A592802287 so we're going to make this an Ask Anything Wednesday because it's just the two of us. If you have a question for me or Shannon about any topic, I'm without Drew and Ryan here to hold me down. I'm going to. I will answer. 859-280-2287 Ask anything Wednesday. We'll go through the day. There are things to get to, but it's out. It's kind of a slow day, so I'd love this is a perfect time to get in. Trivia is tonight. I've yesterday I went for a walk. I walked by Bear and the Butcher in Lexington. Have you ever been to that bar down on off Euclid?
Shannon
No, I don't think I walked there.
Matt Jones
They, I walked in and they were having trivia and so I got to listen to another person's trivia. It was fine.
Shannon
But like, you weren't stealing their questions.
Matt Jones
No, I mean because they ask one question, take five minutes. One question, take five minutes. It's a much harder process at the Matt Jones trivia, but we are doing it tonight. So come on out. It'll be the last one of the year and you can qualify for the finals. But 859-280-2287. I'm finishing the questions today. If we're going to start with a UK sports thing, I think we have to start with the article today in the Herald Leader about Mitch Barnhart. He did an interview with the Herald Leader. It's, it's a long one and I don't know if it's, if it's behind the paywall or not. I'm not sure. Shannon, I have the paywall here. Can I read you real quick the top stories on the Herald Leader?
Shannon
Let's hear it. Because I don't have a subscription.
Matt Jones
Here are the top stories. I'm looking at the top four. Four stories on the Hair Leader besides the Mitch Barnhart interview. Okay, story one, it's here. We designed our new app. That's the top story. Yeah.
Commercial Announcer
Okay.
Matt Jones
Season story two, the reason a public store brand dessert got recalled in Florida. That's the number two story on the Herald Leader.
Shannon
I thought we were supposed to be doing local topics.
Matt Jones
We're talking number three, what is Trevor Lawrence's net worth as the Jaguars quarterback.
Shannon
And why do I care?
Matt Jones
Great question. And then number four, Kentucky's rally in Nebraska's breakthrough national college hoops takeaways. I'd love to get your local newspaper.
Shannon
We go. That's what I'm missing by not subscribing.
Matt Jones
And then the Next one is father charged with murder at Kentucky State. Well, that's local and serious. But then there's Mitch Barnhart's interview. So it's a lot of words. Mitch Brevity is not one of his strong parts. I think we could say. Shannon, he likes. He likes to say a lot of words here. I read it all. I would suggest, like, first of all, he did the rear view with Harold. I have asked him to come on this show that we have gotten no answer. We haven't gotten declined, but we haven't gotten approved. I also have asked him to even talk potentially off the record. Haven't heard anything. So I've done all that I can. Haven't heard anything. He decides to do it with the Herald Leader. Just as a PR strategy, Shannon, Just simply a PR strategy. To me, this is an example of how behind they are. I don't say this to be rude, but I know how many subscribers the Herald Leader has now. I think it's sad that they don't have as many subscribers as they should because we need in Kentucky a newspaper. Forget about sports, just for news. You need somebody, Shannon, covering the news of the state. And the Herald Leader in the Courier Journal did that for a century. And the newspaper business, it's tough. So I subscribe. I'll subscribe till they close the doors. With that said, if you're trying to get your message out, Shannon, wouldn't it make sense to go to the people that have the loudest microphone?
Shannon
Yeah, absolutely. And definitely not hide behind a paywall.
Matt Jones
Yes. I mean, the Herald Leader is just by its very nature going to be the place that that gets significantly fewer views. With that said, that's who he talked to. I read all the interview. Mitch's does not speak directly. It is lots of words, often very little meaning. For me, there were two main questions I wanted to read out of that interview and I didn't really get the answer to either one of them. Question one was basically in the most important. Does the deal with JMI make it to where we can still get basketball recruits right yesterday? And this timing is probably unfortunate. Christian Collins. So Kentucky, if you're not following basketball recruiting, Kentucky has two guys that are amongst the best players in the country that it has been assumed for months we were going to get two top 10 players that at various points people have just assumed were going to Kentucky. Tyron Stokes and Christian Collins. Again, if you haven't followed it, Duke has their guys, they've all signed. Carolina has their guys, they've signed. Kansas has Their guys, they've signed. Everyone has signed except our guys. But the assumption has been we were going to get these two dudes. Christian Collins was the one that was seen to be a lock, like done deal. People had already put out the gifts saying he's a cat. Yesterday the recruiting insiders all pulled their gifts from Christian College and basically said, it's back open. Not good. Right?
Shannon
Right. Yeah. It makes you wonder what was.
Matt Jones
Some of the recruiting insiders have basically said he can't get a deal done with Kentucky. Now I don't know because I'm not part of that process. But the recruiting people who. That's what they do, they say, so to me that interview becomes even more important. I still will admit to you, I don't totally understand UK's deal with JMI. I mean I understand their deal. I don't understand how it perturn pertains to the nil piece. They've done away with the private collectives at uk. Most schools still have one. We do not. We've done away with it. It's all in house. And JMI has this deal. And Mitch tries to explain it in the article. I think Shannon, he uses so many words that I don't know what they mean. You know what I mean. When you just, when you just keep talking and so you don't understand.
Shannon
Yep, yep. That's kind of how sometimes you just needed it to be explained to you as if you were a fifth grader.
Matt Jones
Like give me the most basic. And I couldn't explain about 60% of the deal to everyone as a fifth grader, but I think it would be kind of boring. Maybe we'll do a podcast on it one time. Here is the question that matters the most. This is what matters the most. As you're following this, there is one question that matters. In the article on Kentucky Sports Radio.com agents are quoted as saying JMI is asking us to sign papers that these other schools are not restricting our ability to sign in IL deals with non UK affiliated partners. And basically we're not doing that now. That's the agent side, Shannon. That's not UK side.
Shannon
Right.
Matt Jones
So the next question is, okay, uk, is that true? Yes or no. And he doesn't answer.
Shannon
There's nobody. So that was even asked. Nobody's asking that question.
Matt Jones
But he doesn't ask it directly. Dancing around he says, are players prevented from signing with other non affiliated businesses? And Mitch says, no, that's not true. But that's not the question. That is obvious. The question is when we recruit A player. And we say, we, you will get this much money at uk, because every school's doing that, Shannon, right? They're going, you'll get two million, you'll get two and a half, you'll get one, whatever. When we have that conversation, are we forcing them to sign a document to get that money that no one else is? The question is not once you're here, can you go get other stuff? I think everybody agrees the answer to that is yes. The question is, when we are guaranteeing you the money to play here and let's all be honest, that is what's happening. Are you free when you take that money to also go to do other things? UK will take a kid and let them do whatever they want. But the question is, with the guaranteed money, are you free to do what you want? Does that make sense?
Shannon
Yeah. Yeah.
Matt Jones
And that question is not answered in that article and it's not asked directly. It's asked whether or not they can do other things, but it's not asked, can they do other things after they've taken your money?
Shannon
Clearly, there has got to be something in there because other schools, all these other blue bloods already have players.
Matt Jones
They already have their.
Shannon
And we're the only one that still.
Matt Jones
Has and we don't. And I don't know the answer to that question. And they've not answered. Answered it. And then the second question that's not answered is, are you coming back? Are you resigning? And I'm going to read you after the break his answer on that one. That feels like that's an amazing. That's a yes or no. Are you going to be the AD next year? What would you say?
Shannon
Yes, yes or no?
Matt Jones
Wait till I read you his answer and tell me when it's over. If you decipher a yes or a no.
Shannon
Okay?
Matt Jones
All right. All right.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
So all I can say is I've told you what I know about it. I've parsed that article as best as I could. This morning. I couldn't really get an answer to either of those questions. I've asked him to come on here. They have not responded. I have to assume that means they're not going to, at least now. But we've tried and it is what it is. 859-280-2287. It's an ask Anything Wednesday. We will take your questions. We will give you the answers, at least the best we know them. Next here on ksr Holiday football has arrived with the Draft King Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL the unexpected can turn game day into payday with Don Franklin. And don't forget, DraftKings now has your back with an early exit. I love this because it can help you. If a player you have in a player prop goes down in the first half, they'll wipe it off and they'll act like it never even happened. And you still get paid in cash. That's the DraftKings difference. So download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Use my code KSR. That's code KSR. New customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets. If your bet wins instantly in partnership with DraftKings, the Crown is yours. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPING-HY or text hoping why 467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas. Pass through per wage Attacks May apply in Illinois. 21 + age and your eligibility varies by restriction. Void in Ontario. Restricts supply that must win to receive bonus bets, which expire in seven days. Minimum mods required for additional terms. Responsible gaming resources sick dkng co audio.
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Matt Jones
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Matt Jones
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Matt Jones
Yeah, I can't find the birthdays anymore. They stop doing that. I guess that was the only way I knew when people had burnt. No, wait. Sorry. Found them. All right, pick a number. 1 through 8.
Shannon
7.
Matt Jones
7. Happy Birthday Tom Vernese.
Shannon
Do you even know who that is?
Matt Jones
Tom Vernese went to Atherton High School. He was born in 1976 and he is my friend on Facebook. I do not know him, but there's a picture of him today working on his car. Happy birthday to Tom Fornese.
Shannon
Hope your car starts.
Matt Jones
See, I don't know why you thought that was a bad segment. That's a really good segment.
Shannon
Do you accept people you don't know on Facebook as friends?
Matt Jones
I used to accept a lot of people I don't know. So I would say the. Like most of my friends on Facebook are people I accepted over a decade ago. But then they have a rule. You can't have more than 5,000.
Shannon
Right.
Matt Jones
So now if I accept you, I either know you or there's something about your profile where I'm like, gotta have this person. And I delete people sometimes. Right. Sometimes I say, you're. You're. I don't know you. We're gonna. And if you write me one mean thing, you're out. Yeah, I have a no tolerance policy on the friends because you only get 5,000.
Shannon
Right. I feel like on Facebook is probably where I know the most people personally and actually know them.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Shannon
More so than Twitter or anything else.
Matt Jones
Hey, 928-02287. One person says, I'll tell you one person whose birthday it is. It's my wife's grandmother, Myrtle kimmel. She turns 92. They don't name kids Myrtle anymore.
Shannon
No, Myrtle. Myrtle.
Matt Jones
They don't. I don't know when Myrtle went around as. I had a great aunt. I had a great aunt named Myrtle. I think it. There used to be a time there were a lot of myrtles.
Shannon
Myrtle. Gertrude.
Matt Jones
Gertrude's another one.
Shannon
Bera.
Matt Jones
Well, Bera, you know, don't their kid Bera anymore.
Shannon
I'M just saying.
Matt Jones
But Myrtle is definitely like that one got lost somewh and they don't. All right, I'm gonna read you Mitch Barnhart's answer before we go the phones. Here's the question. There's been a lot of speculation about your own future. Have you made a decision on that? Are you ready? See if you can follow this.
Shannon
Okay, let's go.
Matt Jones
Two things. I love competing. You know that. You know I love this place with all my heart. We came here in 2002 and planned on staying six to eight years and stayed a lot longer. I know there's people that get frustrated because I've been here a long time and that's okay. I sense that an old boss of man told old boss of mine told me one time, every time you make a 5050 decision, use 50% of your friends. He's probably not wrong, but we love Kentucky. I get up invigorated about what we're doing at work. I'm still not even halfway through. I love watching our kids compete. When that day comes and I don't know, I'll sit down with my family and we'll talk and determine what's best for our family and for me, but more importantly, what's best for Kentucky. I got a couple two and a half more years left on my contract. The ambassador clause is out there. It can go anytime after December 31st. If that's something that's best for this university, then we'll have that convers. If it's something that we want to continue to work at. I would like to win some more things. I like winning. Volleyball has been a blast. I'd like to win at some more things and see what we got. And I love our coaches. We've got good people and it's fun to work with. So in other words, maybe that's not even a maybe. That's a like, that's a nothing.
Shannon
Yeah, it's a lot of words.
Matt Jones
It's a lot of words to get.
Shannon
No answer out of it.
Matt Jones
Are you coming back?
Shannon
He likes to compete 50, 50 volleyball. Yeah.
Matt Jones
I mean, to me those answers, like, they do more harm than good.
Shannon
He says he has two and a half years.
Matt Jones
I know less now than I did before.
Shannon
Right.
Matt Jones
Well, you know, yeah.
Shannon
He says he's got what, two, two and a half years left on the contract. But then again, he can step away after December 31st. Right.
Matt Jones
But he doesn't give any sense if that's what he's going to do.
Shannon
Right.
Matt Jones
He said we'll have Conversations.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Okay.
Shannon
He's great at not answering the question.
Matt Jones
I mean, that's a great. You know, why we don't know what's going on.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Answers like that. Let's go to Justin. Go ahead, Justin.
Caller
Hey, fellows, appreciate you taking my call. I'm actually headed to the airport to go to Kansas City to watch the volleyball team play.
Matt Jones
Oh, that's exciting. Now. That's. I mean, that's. I'm excited about the volleyball. Tomorrow night, nine o', clock, we're going to have a watch party. I think it's going to be fun. Fun. But I'm also just excited to watch them. They are the favorites right now. They're the betting favorite. And are you going. Do you go to a lot of volleyball games?
Caller
I'm actually an alum. I actually used to be a student manager for Craig.
Matt Jones
Okay.
Caller
I graduated in 2018. So just to support and. Yeah, just. Just really excited to have the chance to watch them compete for their second title. And I guess I really didn't have a question planned, but since I am going and you and Shannon are the only one on duty today, do you guys want like a hat or a T shirt from.
Matt Jones
Yes. Is there anything that you guys said?
Shannon
Radio. We never turned down free swag.
Matt Jones
Send. Send volleyball swag to KS Bar. And if you get it there quickly, if UK gets it over there tonight, we'll give it away at the watch party tomorrow.
Caller
Okay, perfect. What sizes do you guys wear?
Matt Jones
I'm an xl. Shannon's Extra Small.
Shannon
Large.
Caller
Wars.
Matt Jones
Large. Large. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. No, that's. It's going to be exciting tomorrow night. You think we're going to win?
Shannon
Yes. Yes, I do. I do have a little bit of PTSD seeing Wisconsin in the Final Four.
Matt Jones
But, you know, that was.
Shannon
That was basketball. It has nothing to do with this.
Matt Jones
Well, do you think this would erase it at all if we were to beat them in?
Shannon
Make me feel a little bit better about it. Just a little bit. You still got Pittsburgh on the other side of the bracket. Who's the.
Matt Jones
Would you. Do you think you can dance in between the sets at the Final Four? Well, yeah, we talked about how they were dancing at the Elite Eight.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Can you dance at the Final Four?
Shannon
Why would you stop now? You know, I mean, you dance in the Elite Eight. Why are you going to stop when you get to the Final Four?
Matt Jones
I had somebody write me and go, the hard thing for me about volleyball is I never know if we've won or lost the point because our players celebrate the same either way.
Shannon
That's right. You gotta stay.
Matt Jones
They really do. They really do. Both teams clap no matter whether they score or not.
Shannon
It's really the happiest sport I've ever watched.
Matt Jones
I mean like it is. Oh, it's definitely the happiest sport. It's the, it's the most life affirming sport that exists. Like, you know what I mean?
Shannon
Cheerleading is not even happier than that.
Matt Jones
Like volleyball, cheerleading, it feels like there's a darkness under it.
Shannon
Well, you've watched what was it? Cheer on. On Netflix.
Matt Jones
Yeah, but it feels like they're, like they're smiling but we don't know what's inside. It feels like volleyball is pure joy everywhere after every point. You're great. No, Mario, you're great. Everyone is great.
Shannon
Cheerleaders are smiling, but they're dead inside.
Matt Jones
Joey, Go ahead. Joey.
Caller
Hi guys. First time caller who? Yep, I'm Matt. I want you to know we're thinking about your family up this way, man.
Matt Jones
Thank you.
Caller
But you kind of answered my question earlier in the show. I was calling about the recruiting. You know, I'm kind of worried about that. Is there any way you could get a coach or coach and some of the staff on to explain?
Matt Jones
Well, it's, I mean they can't talk about individual players. I mean, I think once the roster is built at the end of the year then I am going to say to Mark Pope in an interview, how's this working? And because here's the thing, you can argue we shouldn't recruit these elite freshmen anymore. I'll listen to the argument. But the thing is he has recruited them. He's recruited like six or seven and tried. And if we get none of them, then that's an issue. 859-280-2287. Open lines. We'll be right back.
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TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call TJ.
Matt Jones
He'll make them pay.
Shannon
Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back Tucky Sports Radio. Some questions from the text machine 7 one person writes no one knows the JMI deal. Let me ask you a question. What was the reason in the best of. To the best of your ability for why UK signed it? I think that's fairly easy. JMI provided a backstop in terms of financial support and it was probably one that UK believes they needed. From what I've seen of the JMI deal and granted I give myself the ability to modify this when I learn more about it, I think it's a really good deal. For 95 to 97% of the student athletes at UK, it provides an athlete that doesn't have a lot of market value, him or her, as him or herself, a chance to make some money. So I think it's a really good deal for women's basketball, baseball, volleyball, and most of football, probably almost all of football. I think the JM idea works for those people. The question is, does it work for elite basketball recruits? The elite basketball recruits who themselves have market value. Does it work for them? And right now, the answer for me seems to be no. And that's why they're not getting these guys. So the question is going to be, will it be modified for the elite guys? And we'll have to see, and maybe it already is, but nobody's answered the question. So I don't. I don't know. One person writes, matt, you talk a lot about your fellowship. It sounds cool. How did you get chosen, Shannon? They just called me one day. They read an article, you may remember. You remember there was an article about me in politico in, like, 2019 about me potentially running for Senate.
Commercial Announcer
Right.
Matt Jones
The guy came down here, he made fun of my haircut.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
You remember that? He was like, he has a crooked haircut, and he's got a stain on his hood.
Shannon
And the guy was gonna be running for office.
Matt Jones
I was like, man, I bought you wings. Give me a. Why? Why are you doing that to me? But they read that article and ended up. It was a lot about how, like, there were. They talked to all these people who were Trump voters who. But who liked me. And so the whole Felipe woman called me up and was like, you sound like what we're looking for. And that's how I ended up in. And it's been a great experience, one of the best experiences of my life. I've absolutely, absolutely loved it. One person writes, you and Shannon. Shannon was big on the Epstein files.
Shannon
Yeah. Yeah.
Matt Jones
Matt, wouldn't the FBI have already arrested people if there was information in to arrest them? That's always been my view. I always have thought the Epstein thing. While it's so odd to me that they won't release the files, I also think, like, I always think it's been overblown, but it's. But the. It's like the dog that catches the. What's the dog that catches? The car.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Like, you catch the car. What are you gonna do?
Shannon
What to do with it once it catches? Yeah.
Matt Jones
So, like, all these people were rambling about the Biden administration's hiding the Epstein Files. Then they got them and then they haven't done anything either. They caught the car and like, you could say, well, it's such a huge conspiracy, they don't want to release it. Or you could say, like, I do that. Like there's not as much juicy stuff as people said there was. Was.
Shannon
There's no list. According to the latest that we're hearing, there's no list at all.
Matt Jones
But see, the woman, that's the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, she said there was a list, so now they're saying there's not. Well, then how do you explain that six months ago you said there was.
Shannon
I don't even know what to believe anymore.
Matt Jones
That's the problem, that they could create confusion and then nobody will believe anything. Right. That's what I've always told you about conspiracy theories. Why? I don't like them. You create so much confusion that nobody believes anything.
Shannon
Yep.
Matt Jones
And that's actually not good for society, in my opinion. Shannon, did you see the video of the guy who's a dart player in England and loses and beats up his table?
Shannon
No.
Matt Jones
No. You need to look this up. All right, look, there's a guy, he's playing darts in England. One of those dart matches. Like, I went to where everybody screams and is like. Like all that.
Shannon
I'm watching it right now.
Matt Jones
And he loses and he just takes his fist and he starts beating the. I mean, beating the table.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And then he comes out and his hand is like, bloody, and it's like blood going down his hand. And they escort him off the stage. They're like, please stop beating up our table.
Shannon
I didn't know darts could be so violent. But this guy. Yeah, he's just wearing it out and.
Matt Jones
And not like kind of punching.
Shannon
He's. Yeah. And he's. What did he think was going to happen?
Matt Jones
I think he wanted to make sure that table didn't fight back.
Shannon
The table didn't do anything. It was just sitting there.
Matt Jones
That's poor. That is a violent reaction.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
I mean, have you seen the picture of his hand afterwards? Yes.
Shannon
It's like all bloody.
Matt Jones
It's disgusting.
Shannon
We need to see if he was on, like some sort of performance enhancement drugs or something with that kind of rage he's got going on there.
Matt Jones
Performance enhancing drugs for darts?
Shannon
Well, maybe just something, you know, to keep your hands steady so it doesn't shake.
Matt Jones
Oh, that's.
Shannon
You know, you gotta have a steady hand.
Matt Jones
I don't think I could do it because when I hold my hand up like that, sometimes you Shake a little bit. You shake a bit. He doesn't.
Shannon
If you take some sort of thing.
Matt Jones
Like, is there something you can take to not do it?
Shannon
Calm your heart rate down, you know, slow it down so you're nice and calm. I feel like that would be something you could take.
Matt Jones
Performance enhancing darts.
Shannon
That is the angriest person to ever play darts right there.
Matt Jones
I've never seen anyone get that mad about darts ever. Kurt. Go ahead, Kurt.
Caller
Hi, Matt. Second time, really long time from London.
Matt Jones
Well, thank you.
Caller
I have a question that you may have already talked about on your gambling podcast, which I didn't, unfortunately listen to. What do. What are your honest thoughts on the Raiders kick against the Broncos two weeks ago when they kicked the field goal to cover the spread?
Matt Jones
So is that the game? They were down 10 and they kicked a field goal and it made it three or. Excuse me, it was. They made it seven, but the spread was seven and a half. Is that right?
Caller
Yes, sir.
Matt Jones
Was there any time left on the clock?
Caller
There was five seconds left on the clock. And Pete Carroll's coach forever and, you know, he knew there would be no chance in hate.
Matt Jones
Here's the. Here's the. Here's the argument. I mean, the argument is you quickly do an onside kick. If you get it, you can throw a Hail Mary. Was there. Whereas if you throw the Hail Mary, it'll take up all the time and then you have no chance. I mean, I. It's.
Caller
Suspect was 50 yards, Matt, and you know, that takes five seconds for 50 yards.
Matt Jones
Oh. So did the game end on the field goal?
Caller
It did.
Matt Jones
Okay. Yeah. Then that's weird.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Is there any argument, Shannon, to say, well, it's better to lose by seven than ten, I guess.
Shannon
Yeah. You know, at least we lost by single digits, not double.
Matt Jones
It is suspect. I'll agree with you. I appreciate the call. It is suspect.
Shannon
But I think, you know, there's probably a thought that maybe you would have a second left on the clock. And what you were saying, maybe you get an onside kick and maybe something crazy happens. I mean, that's really the only chance you're gonna have to win if you kick the field goal and try to go for the onside kick.
Matt Jones
Otherwise maybe you're just like seven. Doesn't seven looks better than ten or maybe.
Shannon
Otherwise, I feel like you're just giving up on the game. If you try the Hail Mary with five seconds to go, if you have a chance to kick a field, go.
Matt Jones
I don't know. Yeah, I mean, by your logic, I guess I would say, sir, why don't you just kneel down?
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
If you're going to go for something, why not go for points that are actually realistic?
Shannon
Right. Or maybe there was money on the game, you know.
Matt Jones
Yeah. Or maybe Pete Carroll's betting on the game trade. I think that's less likely. But no, no, Bob in Jamestown. Go ahead, Bob.
Caller
Matt, what about these pickle fans? I was out in Kansas City.
Matt Jones
Pickle fans.
Caller
Listen.
Matt Jones
What's a pickle fan?
Caller
Listen to sports radio and I couldn't believe how they were running down the Chiefs. I mean, it's just, you know, and that was before Bones and getting beat twice by Texas and the Cowboys.
Matt Jones
Well, I mean, we're the same way, though. I mean, when we're good one year, I mean, last year we made the sweet 16, and now this year we're upset. I think that's just the nature of fans. You want to be good in the year that you're in. And so, like, even if you won every championship the year before, the year that you're in, you're going to be like, we want to win this year, too.
Caller
A real fan supports a team, regardless. I've been a Bengals fan for years, and you know their record. They've been to the super bowl twice. But a real fan is a fan.
Matt Jones
They don't. Yeah, I don't know if you're a real fan. They've been to the super bowl three times. Kenny Anderson made it, Boomer Assize and made it, and Joe Burrow made it.
Caller
Yeah, that's right. I forgot about.
Shannon
Yeah, you're not a real fan.
Matt Jones
I appreciate the call. You're not a real fan. Not a real fan.
Shannon
You don't even know.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, that's the only thing you can know as a bingo fan is how many times you've been to the Super Bowl. There's nothing else to know. Yeah, you never won.
Shannon
Happens maybe twice a lifetime.
Matt Jones
Three times a lifetime.
Shannon
Well, it depends on how old you are.
Matt Jones
Tom. Go ahead, Tom.
Caller
Hey, Matt, how you doing?
Matt Jones
Good.
Caller
I want to give a little insight as far as JMI goes. And this is years and years ago. I used to work for International Management Group, and I was curious for people.
Matt Jones
Who don't know the company that existed IMG before jmi, that was Kentucky's rights holder before jmi.
Caller
And they're also basically the kind of founder of sports marketing through Mark McCormick. And of course, he represented Arnold Palmer, Nicholas and Player. And I worked. I was one of the first employees that worked in basically our track and field division and we basically took the.
Matt Jones
So what's your opinion on track and Field Pro?
Caller
My opinion is that it's a very close, almost incestuous relationship. If you look at the president of JMI and the person who's head of nil, they're both former UK employees. I see a little bit in regards to baseball marketing, but not a lot of like at img we had so many different divisions within golf tracks, whatever and, and and also tv. There was a big cross fertilization of lead from different companies. My fear is, is that, you know, you can only go back to central bank so many times and that you have people who've been dealing with the same companies year in, year out without basically getting any, any exposure, maybe some outside leads. The other thing is, and it's pretty clear to me that Mitch was definitely betting that the score act was going to pass. Oh, there's no collectors would be out. And so.
Matt Jones
Tom, I appreciate it man. We got to move quicker. I he got rid of the private collectives because he assumed they were going to be illegal and they're not. And that's maybe that'll end up being accurate, but it's not accurate right now and that probably has had an impact. Hey bourbon lovers, you don't want to miss Commonwealth Causes December Bourbon raffle. The next ultimate bourbon collection drawing is tomorrow, December 18th. You get an iconic Pappy Van Winkle vertical and just for the holidays, Buffalo Trace Old fashioned copper vintage 2006 bottle the well or vertical Blanton's $20,000 worth of bourbon secures now. Secure yours now at commonwealthcauses.org and add a little cheer to your Christmas spirit with Commonwealth Causes. We'll take a break. 859-280-2287. It's KSR 10.
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Matt Jones
This is when mindset comes in.
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Matt Jones
Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com Season 2.
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Shannon
Ticket to big savings is that big blue envelope in your mailbox Valpak. It's brimming with deals from big name brand and your favorite local spots, dining services, stuff you're already buying all for less. And you could score $100 or other instant prizes just for opening it. Or save even faster with mobile coupons you can use right now@valpak.com Valpak there's definitely something in it for you.
Matt Jones
Welcome back Techie Sports Radio 859280-2287 I'm sorry I had to cut off that dude. I'm Jake, I'm g guy I would like to have heard more about he's talking about but you know there wasn't a hard break but we, we have to be out of here about 46 or they lose their mind. 859-280-2287 apparently there are performance enhancing drugs for if not darts rifle. There are beta blockers that make your hands not shake as much.
Shannon
Right? Yeah, I mean I was halfway joking about that but I mean it makes sense to keep you steady from shaking. You would need that in darts I would think.
Matt Jones
Interesting.
Shannon
Yeah. Well they test them.
Matt Jones
You think? Yeah. No, I mean I bet. I'm sure they do.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Yeah. One person writes Matt, you and Shannon. Shannon Are wrong about the Epstein files. This cut. This involves the entire world. I mean, that may be true.
Shannon
This person doesn't know. I mean, nobody knows except for.
Matt Jones
The problem is we'll never know. Yeah, the problem is we're never gonna know. And so people. I understand. People will believe what they want to believe. I don't know. Maybe it does involve the whole world. I don't know.
Shannon
Yeah, I don't think any of this is ever coming out.
Matt Jones
We'll never really. And they're supposed. I think it's. Isn't it this week. They're supposed to release it.
Shannon
I've been hearing that for a year.
Matt Jones
They're supposed to release it and then.
Shannon
They supposed to release it. Then it just something else happens and they forget about it.
Matt Jones
And then they never do. One person writes this song is question is only for Shannon. Thanks a lot. What is the best cover of a song of all time? Hmm.
Shannon
I'd have to think about that one for a minute. I mean, the most metallic is.
Matt Jones
It wasn't for me. It was just for.
Shannon
I think it's probably got to be Whitney Houston.
Matt Jones
That's what I was going to say.
Shannon
That's covering Dolly.
Matt Jones
Whitney. Covering Dolly is the most successful. I will always love you. It's the most successful. I mean, whether it's the best is everybody's own opinion. Right. But it's the most successful. That's got to be the most successful.
Shannon
Cover of all time right there with All I want for Christmas is you, Mariah Carey. I mean, say what you want about that, but it is the most.
Matt Jones
You love that.
Shannon
No, I hate that song. But I mean, it's always.
Matt Jones
Bring it. No, it's Ryan that always loves. Yeah, it's like. Yeah, it was controversial, I think, at one point. And Ryan was like, but I love it. And he got really.
Shannon
But I think it's like one of the most successful, like, of all time. It hits number one on the charts every year at this time.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Shannon
And even though I hate the song, it's still one of the most popular ever.
Matt Jones
859-280-2287. The Kentucky Indiana basketball game got the highest TV rating for a college basketball game on ESPN this year. And it is, Shannon, the highest TV rating for a December basketball game for ESPN in five years. What that tells me is put these games on Saturday night prime time and put Vital and Barkley on more games.
Shannon
Well, I was going to say that has a lot to do with it. Two million people, according to the numbers, watch this game. And I think Barkley and Vital together have a lot to. I don't think it's just Kentucky and Indiana.
Matt Jones
No, it's fine. It's Kentucky, Indiana and Vital and Bar.
Shannon
Right? Yeah. So I think we need more games with Vital and Barkley. If you're espn.
Matt Jones
I mean, if I'm espn. Do Vital and Barkley once a month, right?
Shannon
Yep. You don't want it too much because then it's, you know, it's an old tired act. You don't want that too much. But once a month, I think would be good. I would like to see it.
Matt Jones
I think it works. I think you put it. I actually think I would enjoy it, Shannon, even more on a game where my team was not playing.
Shannon
Oh, yeah. Yeah. Because you don't care.
Matt Jones
Just be listening to this.
Shannon
Yeah. Then you go split screen it all you want. I don't really care. You know, just. Just put it on them only.
Matt Jones
But I am glad if they're only going to do one, I'm glad they did ours because I do think that was a cool night and it'll be something we'll remember.
Shannon
Bartley said it was one of the coolest nights of his career.
Matt Jones
Yeah. And him saying, shaq, you're giving that hundred thousand dollars whether you want fat ass or not. I like him saying that. That's a great. That's a great line, brandon. Go ahead, brandon. 859-280-2287.
Caller
Yeah, good morning. You guys opened the show talking about ksr, people from yesteryear. And you failed to mention intern Drew.
Matt Jones
That's how we had the job for Maria. We had. That's how we had the job for the Maria's. Drew the intern moved to Chicago with his woman to work at.
Shannon
What was it?
Matt Jones
Girl. Yeah. Hedge fund girl for Bacon Sports. And then that's how we had the opening for Maria.
Caller
That's all I had.
Matt Jones
Appreciate it. Yes. Drew the intern. Don't want to forget him. He came to our bar about a year ago, but he was. He was friends with Zach. So the. The chronology is I create the show with Rob Goodell, John Wilkinson, hubby on podcast the Turkey Hunter, all those guys. It moves to radio. Well, first it moves to radio, not ksr. And it's me. It's a sports mob with Matt and Rob. Right. Then Rob moves to Florida and it becomes me and Dave Ragone.
Shannon
Yep.
Matt Jones
A lot of people don't remember that.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And then I had my own show for a little while at night on a black gospel station in Louisville.
Shannon
That's an interesting choice to put you on there.
Matt Jones
Well, it was on 38th and Broadway.
Shannon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
In Louisville. I would drive and it was at night. And then get ksr, bring Zach in, Drew the intern, and then the kind of the rest is history.
Shannon
You know, Zach is still very important to the show because about once every six or seven years we lose the the log to the to the podcast. And Zach's still the only. Did he ever tell us what the password was?
Matt Jones
Zach is still the only person who.
Shannon
Can log into the P. He won't tell anybody else. It's like a secret that he holds.
Matt Jones
How he stays connected to us. He still is the only person that can log into the podcast. Podcast. Drew. Go ahead, Drew.
Caller
Hey, Matt. So I think it's pretty clear that nil is an issue. So I guess my question is, what do we do? Are we just kind of stuck until this j my deal goes away? Is there any.
Matt Jones
Here's what my optimistic view if they lose all these basketball players and again now if they end up getting Christian Collins and Tyron Stokes, I think that means it worked itself out. But if they don't, then I think JMI is going to have to change their deal or UK is going to have to change their deal so that they get these elite players. I mean, the deal goes for 15 more years. So I don't think that deal is not going to end. The question will be, can they? If it works for 97% of the players and it doesn't work for the other 3%, why not just make an exception for the other 3%? Now UK might say, well, if you make an exception for 3%, then the other 97% are going to want it and maybe they're right. I don't know the answer to that question. So. But I'm, but I'm concerned about it with these top guys. Maybe they fix it. But you had like four dudes in this class locked up and right now it's looking like we might not get any of them. 859-280-2287 we'll take your calls. Be right back. Ask anything Wednesday KSR 10 athletes will.
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Matt Jones
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Matt Jones
Trainer games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com Season 2.
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Of Unrivaled Basketball is here and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Becker, Snafeeza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher and every athlete shines. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max at CVS, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night, and we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit us@cvs.com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.
Shannon
Your ticket to Big Savings is that big blue envelope in your mailbox, Valpak. It's brimming with deals from big name brands and your favorite local spots, dining services, stuff you're already buying, all for less. And you could score $100 or other instant prizes just for opening it. Or save even faster with mobile coupons you can use right now@valpak.com Valpak there's definitely something in it for you.
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Co-host: Shannon
Podcast: KSR, iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
This episode is an old-school, laid-back show featuring Matt Jones and Shannon reminiscing about the evolution of KSR while tackling the latest issues in University of Kentucky (UK) athletics. With several crew members out due to injuries and last-minute changes, Matt and Shannon field listener questions, break down trending UK sports stories—most notably the NIL/JMI deal controversy—and discuss everything from local newspapers to performance-enhancing drugs in darts. The hour is marked by unfiltered, conversational commentary and calls from fans, blending nostalgia, humor, and real concern for UK’s athletic future.
The tone is unfiltered, self-deprecating, and honest, reflecting KSR’s roots as a hyper-local, personality-driven sports show. The episode balances offbeat, often funny asides with real concern for UK sports’ future—particularly regarding the NIL/JMI saga and recruiting woes. Matt’s frustration with administrative opacity and nostalgia for simpler days provide an underlying current throughout. This hour is as much about community and tradition as it is about up-to-the-minute sports news, serving loyal Kentucky fans old and new.