Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Co-host: Shannon
Podcast: KSR, iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

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.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. KSR Crew Shortages & Nostalgia

• Team Updates: Multiple regulars out—Ryan had a wreck (he’s okay), Drew has severe back pain, intended guest canceled unexpectedly.
• Old-School Vibes: Matt and Shannon reminisce about the early KSR days, original team members, rotating guests, and the evolution of the crew.
• Nostalgic Anecdotes: Stories about Maria, who started as a phone answerer for KSR and is now a higher-up at On3 Sports, highlight KSR’s unpredictable and homegrown journey.
  • Quote (Matt, 06:13):
    “She came up to me at an Alabama Vanderbilt game... and now she is like one of the higher ups at On3 Sports. Isn't that crazy?”

2. Ask Anything Wednesday & Trivia

• Open Format: With a light news day and only the two hosts, Matt opens the phone lines for any questions from listeners (Ask Anything Wednesday).
• Trivia: Matt mentions he’s writing questions for the last KSR trivia night of the year at Bear and the Butcher.

3. UK Athletics: The JMI NIL Deal Controversy

• Context:
  • The Herald-Leader runs an in-depth interview with UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart about the school’s marketing and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) strategy with JMI.
  • The deal’s complexity and lack of clear communication are causing angst, especially in recruiting elite basketball players.
• Matt’s Analysis:
  • The JMI deal might be fine for most student-athletes but appears problematic for top-tier basketball recruits, as evidenced by recruiting struggles.
    • Quote (Matt, 14:09):
      “I still will admit to you, I don’t totally understand UK’s deal with JMI... He uses so many words that I don’t know what they mean.”
  • The central question not answered by Barnhart: Are recruits who accept NIL guarantees at UK able to pursue separate, non-UK-affiliated NIL deals like they can at other schools?
    • Quote (Matt, 16:31):
      “When we have that conversation, are we forcing them to sign a document to get that money that no one else is? ... Are you free when you take that money to also go do other things?”
• Listener Anxiety: Recruiting insiders pulled “crystal ball” picks for a critical recruit (Christian Collins), making fans nervous about UK’s position.
• Barnhart’s Communication Frustration:
  • Matt highlights the elusive and verbose nature of Barnhart’s responses and expresses frustration at the lack of direct answers.
• Future Uncertainty:
  • The other unanswered question: Will Barnhart resign or return as AD? His response is long-winded and non-committal.
    • Quote (Barnhart via Matt, 22:51):
      “Two things. I love competing... When that day comes and I don’t know, I’ll sit down with my family... But more importantly, what’s best for Kentucky...”
  • Matt’s take:
    • Quote (Matt, 24:00):
      "It's a lot of words to get... no answer out of it."

4. Live Listener Calls and UK Volleyball Hype

• Fans Call In:
  • Some share travel plans to watch UK volleyball in Kansas City.
  • Others inquire about the NIL policy confusion and recruiting.
• UK Volleyball Final Four Watch Party:
  • High excitement for the volleyball match, with listeners discussing team dancing and the sport’s universally joyful vibe.
    • Quote (Matt, 26:56):
      “It's the most life-affirming sport that exists...”

5. Light-Hearted Segments & Miscellaneous Topics

• Facebook Birthday Shout-Outs: The return (and gentle roasting) of Matt’s old gimmick, giving random Facebook friends birthday wishes.
• Old-Fashioned Names: Fun discussion about names like Myrtle and Gertrude falling out of use.
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Darts & Rifle: Banter about beta blockers and anger management after a darts player viral meltdown.
• NFL Gambling Conspiracies: Listeners raise questions about suspicious late-game field goals.

6. Media, Nostalgia, and TV Ratings

• Local News Decline: Matt laments the shrinking reach of the Lexington Herald-Leader, arguing Kentucky needs robust local newspapers.
• UK-Indiana Game Ratings: The recent Kentucky-Indiana basketball game achieves the highest ESPN college basketball ratings in December in five years, boosted by Barkley and Vitale’s ON-AIR chemistry.
  • Quote (Matt, 46:07):
    “Put these games on Saturday night prime time and put Vital and Barkley on more games.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NIL/JMI Confusion
  • “There is one question that matters...are you free when you take that money to also go to do other things?...That question is not answered in that article and it’s not asked directly.”
    (Matt Jones, 16:31)
• On Mitch Barnhart’s Long-Windedness
  • “Mitch Brevity is not one of his strong parts. I think we could say.”
    (Matt Jones, 10:10)
  • “...that's a nothing.”
    (Matt Jones, 23:59 – after reading Barnhart’s answer about his own future)
  • "He's great at not answering the question."
    (Shannon, 24:35)
• On Volleyball’s Unique Joy
  • “That is the happiest sport I've ever watched.”
    (Shannon, 26:53)
  • “Cheerleaders are smiling, but they're dead inside. Volleyball is pure joy.”
    (Matt Jones, 27:06)
• On the Value of Local News
  • “You need somebody...covering the news of the state...and the Herald Leader and 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.”
    (Matt Jones, 11:08)
• On KSR’s Early Days and People
  • “We tried people out. Do you remember who all we tried out back then?...Mark Krebs...Perrin, Johnson...Mike Pratt...Romans...My friend Johnny Bruce...a lot of random people.”
    (Matt Jones, 5:03–5:30)
• On Darts and Rage
  • “We need to see if he was on like some sort of performance enhancement drugs or something with that kind of rage.”
    (Shannon, 33:35)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:18 – Show opens, crew update, nostalgic KSR memories
• 07:49 – Ask Anything Wednesday: phones open for listener questions
• 08:41 – Discussion of trivia, local bars, and upcoming events
• 09:25 – Herald-Leader story on Mitch Barnhart and the NIL/JMI deal
• 13:18 – Recruiting crisis and Christian Collins situation
• 15:02 – Analysis of the JMI deal’s impact on elite recruits
• 22:51 – Barnhart’s evasive answer on his future as AD
• 24:45, 27:32 – Fan calls: UK volleyball hype, NIL anxiety
• 26:46 – Joy of volleyball and team celebrations
• 29:25 – Breakdown of JMI’s business impact on UK, especially elite athletes
• 33:09 – Viral darts meltdown and joke about performance enhancers
• 34:39, 36:01 – Field goal conspiracy in NFL, fans discuss “true” fandom
• 41:35 – Media/tech sponsor ad section
• 44:46 – Best cover songs ever, music banter
• 46:07 – UK-Indiana TV ratings set ESPN record
• 47:15 – Nostalgic recall: KSR early staff and transitions
• 49:12 – Final questions about the NIL, next steps for UK basketball

Episode Tone & Takeaway

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.