Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: February 6, 2026

Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy

Live From: Super Bowl Media Row, San Francisco

Episode Overview

This episode of KSR broadcasts live from Super Bowl Media Row in San Francisco, offering a unique blend of Kentucky sports news, humorous behind-the-scenes moments from Radio Row, UK basketball talk, and celebrity encounters. The crew is immersed amid football personalities, TV hosts, and even the chaos of lost credentials, bringing listeners a lively, real-time account of their experiences, reflections on Kentucky’s upcoming basketball clash with Tennessee, and interactions with guests from ESPN Radio. The conversation maintains KSR’s trademark energy, wit, and candid camaraderie throughout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene at Super Bowl Media Row

• The crew left their usual studio to broadcast from the bustling (though early-morning quiet) Media Row.
• They're stationed just feet from the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football set, surrounded by sports celebrities and media.
• "We are essentially on NFL Network television. Even though people cannot see us, they are right there." — Matt Jones (04:15)
• Drew shares his excitement about the proximity to hosts he admires, especially Kyle Brandt.
• Discussion about the personalities on set, with playful teasing about fanboy moments.

Notable Moment (05:27):
Drew admits he’s excited:
“It is cool to see a show that I’ve watched every morning for years right here next to me.” — Drew Franklin

2. Celebrity Sightings, Media Row Dynamics, and On-Site Tension

• The team discusses celebrity encounters (Martha Stewart, Seth Rollins, Kirk Herbstreit’s dog) and the surreal feel of being among famous faces.
• Matt geeked out seeing Martha Stewart up close:
  "She feels like a level of celebrity… she looks amazing for 84 years old." — Matt Jones (06:05)
• Observations of off-air tension among Good Morning Football hosts, giving listeners a glimpse of the less-polished side of live TV: “I’ve seen off the air tension, sources say. And by the sources, I mean my eyes.” — Matt Jones (07:44)
  • Billy adds: “There’s been shouting... they were running around the table... split, been like a lot going on right next to where we’re set up.” (08:13)
  • Producers seem wary of how much the KSR crew can overhear and share.

3. Fan Moments & Awkward Interactions

• Drew recounts nearly approaching Kyle Brandt during a tense break but pulls back:
  “As I got close, I realized it’s probably not the best time to insert myself in the situation.” — Drew Franklin (08:57)
• Lighthearted retelling of “hero” encounters, including meeting Derrick Henry at the urinal (“standing in their shadows”).
• Actual live-on-air interaction:
  • Drew greets Kyle Brandt, affirming his fandom, while the crew teases his excitement and self-proclaimed calm heart rate.
    • “My heart rate has not moved at all. That was cool. But I’m a grown man.” — Drew Franklin (13:13)
  • Matt adds playful commentary on the moment:
    “You got to have the moment live on the air. Oh, he's red.” — Matt Jones (13:01)

4. Lost Credentials & Super Bowl Security

• Mario, part of the crew, has lost his press credential and is currently struggling to regain access—becomes a running joke.
• Security at Media Row is high:
  “Rule number one here, Billy, is do not lose your press credential… I don’t think they’re going to let him back in the building.” — Matt Jones (10:04; 41:08)
• Billy jokes about having nightmares of bringing the wrong credential (10:27).

5. Kentucky Basketball: Nostalgia and Tennessee Matchup

• Focus shifts to the upcoming Kentucky vs. Tennessee basketball game.
  • Enthusiasm about the throwback “denim” uniforms and nostalgia for the mid-’90s era.
  • Drew’s childhood memories of the famous uniforms:
    “That era and that uniform means a lot to me. I’m excited to watch it on TV…” — Drew Franklin (14:40)
  • Billy, younger, is still excited about the vintage aspect and anticipates Coach Mark Pope’s attire.
• Discussion of expectation and excitement for the game’s energy and the fans’ role.
  • “It does matter a lot. You don’t have the same nostalgia... Are you excited about it or do you think it’s kind of lame?” — Matt Jones (15:03)
  • Billy: “I think that, you know, I’m kind of into the vintage right now...” (15:13)

6. UK Basketball’s Recent Performance & Turnaround

• Analysis of Kentucky’s team progress under Coach Pope, who’s kept the team performing strongly despite injuries:
  • Winning 7 of the last 8 games; optimism grows as the team finds ways to close out games.
  • “If we’re going to be critical at times, we gotta give [Pope] some praise for keeping this team together and playing this well…” — Billy (26:02)
  • Increasing optimism from Drew and Matt, albeit with cautious hope:
    “I do feel like they’ve kind of turned a corner and figured out a little bit now… Kentucky is becoming a good team.” — Drew Franklin (24:20)
  • Anecdotes about favorite moments (LSU game-winning shot, resilience against Tennessee, Ole Miss).

7. Rivalry Banter and SEC Basketball Personalities

• Matt describes fun “trash talk” with Ron Slay, Tennessee basketball legend.
  • “I really like Ron Slay… He said next to his senior night at Tennessee, his most powerful night was [getting] a standing ovation at Rupp Arena.” — Matt Jones (16:14)
  • Discuss how rival players have won over UK fans and vice versa.

8. Listener Calls & UK ‘Whiteout’ Discussion

• A listener suggests a “whiteout” fan event for the Tennessee game.
  • Matt and Drew say it could work if the effort is made ahead of time—requires organization and communication.
  • “They just wait too late to tell them. In football, there’s been times… Friday afternoon, ‘hey, tomorrow, blackout.’” — Drew Franklin (20:08)

9. Travel Tales & Billy’s Food Freak-Out

• The group recounts a dinnertime incident where Billy, overwhelmed by “foo foo” cuisine, had to take a breather outside.
  • Playful but empathetic storytelling:
    “Billy just freaks out… gets up and he goes outside and gets like two minutes of fresh air… you just needed a reset.” — Matt Jones (21:46)
  • Drew benefited by eating Billy’s untouched pig’s ears.
  • Billy on his tastes:
    “I like proteins, ground beef, chicken…” (21:43)
  • Experience highlights the camaraderie and ribbing that defines the show.

10. Media Reflections: Newspapers, Sports Writing, and the Value of Journalism

• Caller raises issue of layoffs in sports media (especially at the Washington Post).
• Matt explains the importance of local beat writers and tough questioning, particularly for UK sports.
  • “When you don’t have that and all you get is propaganda, then you start to go, well, maybe I missed it a little bit…” — Matt Jones (31:18)
• The panel laments shrinking newsrooms and the impact on sports coverage and accountability.

11. Celebrity Guest: ESPN Radio’s Evan Cohen (35:01 – 40:25)

• Matt brings on Evan Cohen of ESPN Radio for a spontaneous segment.
• Evan compliments Matt, calling him “arguably the biggest host in America” and “deep down, really nice and kind” (35:20-36:08).
• The conversation turns meta as Cohen and Drew dissect Matt’s “heel” (villain) vs. “face” (good guy) radio persona:
  • “I think he takes pride in trying to be a heel while he’s actually a face.” — Evan Cohen (36:09)
• Evan shares stories about ESPN morning TV, security at ESPN’s NYC studios, and the difference between “radio” and “first take” treatment.
  • “If you fill in for first take, you can’t get killed... if you’re on ESPN radio, you’re allowed to actually get killed.” — Evan Cohen (39:05)
• Matt and Evan recall studio experiences, inside media stories, and mutual professional admiration.

12. Interactive Segments, More Calls, and Basketball Analysis

• Listeners ask about matchups for Tennessee’s big man (Nate Amand), leading to strategic commentary about Kentucky’s options (Diabate, Moreno, and offensive trade-offs).

• The crew recalls last season’s “fat boy” trash talk incident—UK’s Away clashing with Tennessee’s center, highlighting the team’s “hothead” personalities.

  “The spark is ready to be lit at any given moment for all three of those…” — Matt Jones (46:02)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On sitting next to NFL celebrities:
  “We are essentially on NFL Network television. Even though people cannot see us, they are right there.” — Matt Jones [04:15]

• On meeting Martha Stewart:
  “She feels like a level of celebrity… she looks amazing for 84 years old.” — Matt Jones [06:05]

• On live radio moments:
  “My heart rate has not moved at all. That was cool. But I’m a grown man.” — Drew Franklin [13:13]

• On UK basketball’s turnaround:
  “If we’re going to be critical at times, we gotta give [Coach Pope] some praise for keeping this team together and playing this well…” — Billy [26:02]

• On media accountability and journalism:
  “When you don’t have that and all you get is propaganda, then you start to go, well, maybe I missed it a little bit…” — Matt Jones [31:18]

• On playful KSR "persona":
  “I think he takes pride in trying to be a heel while he’s actually a face.” — Evan Cohen [36:09]

Important Timestamps

• [03:36] – KSR crew sets up at Media Row, describes the scene, proximity to NFL Network.
• [06:05] – Matt discusses running into Martha Stewart, celebrity excitement.
• [08:13] – Billy and Matt detail backstage tension on the GMFB set.
• [13:01] – On-air encounter between Drew and Kyle Brandt.
• [14:40] – Nostalgia for Kentucky’s denim uniforms.
• [21:46] – Billy’s food freak-out during a “foo foo” dinner in San Francisco.
• [26:02] – Debating whether Kentucky basketball is now “good” again.
• [35:01 – 40:25] – Guest: Evan Cohen (ESPN Radio) joins for talk about Matt’s persona, ESPN secrets, and more.
• [41:08] – Mario’s credential incident, Super Bowl security.
• [44:21] – Strategy discussion: how Kentucky will defend Nate Amand.

Tone and Language Summary

The episode is lively and unscripted, mixing sports debate, inside jokes, and genuine fan-like awe at the major sports event. The KSR crew rib each other, offer honest Kentucky basketball takes, and seamlessly shift between lighthearted and thoughtful commentary. The presence of ESPN’s Evan Cohen adds a “media-insider” flavor, and callers help keep the show rooted in Kentucky fandom even when the crew is far from home.

Summary Takeaway

This hour of KSR seamlessly blends the spectacle of Super Bowl Media Row with Kentucky sports news, real-time celebrity run-ins, classic KSR humor, and authentic moments of reflection about fandom, journalism, and the state of UK basketball. Whether you’re a die-hard Cats fan or just love sports radio at its most honest, this episode captures the unique personality and energy of the KSR crew—no matter where they are.