Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) - Hour 2

Episode Date: April 3, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon the Dude, Billy (with Matt Jones scheduled to return Monday)
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

This hour of KSR delivers a quintessential mix of Kentucky sports news, community updates, nostalgia, and lighthearted banter. The crew discusses breaking news on UK's NIL partnership with Fanatics, major traffic infrastructure developments in Lexington, heartfelt moments in sports media, and listener calls focused on everything from UK basketball to quirky local crime stories. The episode concludes with Final Four picks, reflections on UK basketball memories, and a look ahead to an upcoming CBS documentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: UK's 12-Year NIL Extension with Fanatics

• [05:01] Drew Franklin announces UK's "first of its kind NIL program" with Fanatics, a 12-year extension focused on student-athletes profiting from merchandise and name/image likeness deals.
  • Host Reactions:
    • Matt Jones admits to being unsure about Fanatics' industry stature.
    • Drew Franklin assures listeners: "It's a big brand, probably the biggest out there. They gobbled up a lot of companies."
    • Ryan Lemond notes Kentucky already had a Fanatics relationship, but this solidifies and expands it for NIL.
    • Some debate on the wisdom of decade-plus contracts, but consensus is it's a positive for athletes.
    • Later, a text (at [24:11]) corrects Drew on Fanatics’ dominance in sports merchandising, solidifying the importance of the deal.

2. Lexington Infrastructure Updates & Traffic Solutions

• [06:16] – [10:16]
  • Matt Jones excitedly details plans to build a new tunnel from Sir Barton Way to Polo Club under I-75 and expansions of Georgetown Road and Red Mile Road to ease traffic in Lexington, particularly benefiting growing hospital zones.
    • Drew: "Whatever it takes to make things better out there."
    • Ryan: Observes this is a trend across Kentucky and other cities considering similar tunnel/subway projects.
  • The crew riff on suburban development, new schools, hospital expansions, and their personal commuting woes.
  • Further expansion on New Circle Road announced.
  • Quote: Matt Jones: "Someday I'm going to be mayor of this town and my whole platform is going to be improving traffic in Lexington, Kentucky because traffic stinks." [06:24]
  • Humorous Moment: Ryan notes, "This is what I have to look forward to when I get a little older—just tracking changes in traffic patterns.” [10:20]

3. Heartfelt Media Moment: Dan Orlovsky’s Son on NFL Live

• [10:59] – [13:06]
  • Caller Casey reminds hosts that it's been 14 years since UK's last national title, then brings up a viral clip from NFL Live featuring Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who appeared on World Autism Day.
  • The crew describes Madden’s endearing fandom, his Eagles fight song, and the emotional impact on the hosts and viewers ("everyone watching is crying").
  • Quote: Matt Jones: "This is one of the best things I’ve seen. ...a very heartfelt moment between father and son with Madden kind of drawing some attention to World Autism Day." [12:54]

4. Listener Calls: Reds Season, KSR Night at the Ballpark, UK Basketball Roster Reflection

• Various listener interactions add humor and local flavor:
  • Don suggests a contest predicting when Matt will "give up on the Reds" this season ([13:09]).
  • Drew recounts getting "booed by an entire stadium" at a KSR Night at the Reds: “There’s not a drug out there that could recreate that feeling.” [14:13]
  • Multiple callers weigh in on supporting Coach Pope, roster construction challenges (Malachi Smith’s strength, depth issues, Diabate’s fit), and the need for a stronger Kentucky basketball identity ([21:44]–[23:38]).
  • Drew clarifies NIL and Fanatics’ role in player merchandise ([24:11]).

5. Nostalgia & Kentucky Basketball Memories

• [32:03] – [39:03]; [37:08] – [39:16]
  • The hosts answer a text on their earliest UK basketball memory, ranging from the 1978 title (Matt), the 1993 run (Drew, Shannon), and the “tape delay” era (memories of games broadcast hours after they concluded).
  • Quote: Matt Jones: "My earliest Memory is the 78 national championship game. ...it was a big deal, I wanted to watch the national championship." [33:46]
  • Listener Radio Ron calls with vivid memories dating back to 1945-46, sharing knowledge about Jack Tingle and Alex Groza.

6. Local News: Bud Light Truck Heist in Evansville

• [25:23] – [27:49]
  • Matt shares a quirky local news story about a man stealing a Bud Light truck in Evansville, attempts a pun ("the judge gave him a light sentence"), and the crew jokes about the absurdity and consequences.
  • Quote: "Randall Baker, the drink maker, jumped in and took off. Stole a Bud Light beer truck..." [26:13]

7. Final Four & Women’s Tournament Picks

• [48:12] – [52:59]
  • The crew preview the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four, give spread picks, and reflect on the unique stories for Illinois, Michigan, and other teams.
  • Discussion about underdog Illinois’ roster: "They’ve got a bunch of-‘vics!” (referencing their Eastern European players) and point guard Keaton Wagler’s emergence.
  • Noted the fun, no-media-training attitude of Illinois’ players, relating to the team's appeal.

8. Upcoming: CBS Sports UK Documentary

• [40:44] – [42:54]
  • Discussion on the much-anticipated CBS behind-the-scenes documentary about Kentucky basketball airing the next day at 1 pm. Debate about whether fans will finally see what happened during the contentious Louisville game and key moments during the season.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Jones on Lexington traffic:
  "Traffic stinks. Did you see the story, what they're doing over in Hamburg? ...You won't have to go up to Man O' War." [06:24]
• Drew Franklin on NIL:
  "If it means that someone like Colin Chandler can put his face on T-shirts and make money off that, then good, because that's what we need." [06:06]
• Casey (Caller):
  "Yesterday was 14 years since we won our last title and that just blows my mind. ...I'm just so ready for our program to get back on track." [10:59]
• Matt Jones on Dan Orlovsky's son:
  "I'm crying when I watched it last night. It's a very heartfelt moment between father and son..." [12:54]
• Drew Franklin’s comedic take on getting booed:
  "There's not a drug out there that could recreate that feeling." [14:13]
• Matt Jones on Kentucky basketball memories:
  "My earliest Memory is the 78 national championship game. I remember thinking like the first time my dad was going to let me stay up and watch it." [33:46]
• Shannon on Kentucky’s televised games:
  "You couldn't watch the—you had to listen to it on the radio. And then you got to watch it at 11 o'clock at night." [35:24]
• Radio Ron (Caller):
  "I'll never forget the joy my father and I had in 1945 hearing the Wildcats win the National Invitational Tournament." [38:02]
• Matt Jones on the CBS documentary:
  "Let’s just get behind the weeds and peel back the curtain and see what’s back there." [41:12]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|--------------| | 05:01 | UK-Fanatics 12-year NIL extension announced | | 06:16 | Lexington road/tunnel expansion plans | | 10:59 | Dan Orlovsky’s son on NFL Live (World Autism Day) | | 13:09 | Caller suggests a contest on Matt’s Reds fandom | | 21:44 | Caller talks UK basketball roster, Coach Pope | | 24:11 | Fanatics and sports merchandising explained | | 25:23 | Evansville Bud Light truck heist story | | 32:03 | Hosts reflect on earliest Kentucky basketball memories | | 37:08 | Radio Ron recalls 1940s UK memories | | 40:44 | Preview and speculation on CBS UK basketball documentary | | 48:12 | Final Four picks and analysis | | 52:59 | Illinois’ roster and fan support, Coach O mention |

Flow, Tone, and Takeaways

• The tone is friendly, humorous, knowledgeable, and conversational, mixing deep sports insight with relatable local color.
• Several segments reflect genuine emotion and community, particularly around UK nostalgia, sports parenting, and local pride.
• Listener calls and texts are integrated throughout, reinforcing the show's ongoing dialogue with its audience.
• Cross-generational perspectives—ranging from WWII era fandom to modern NIL deals—keep the episode rich and grounded in Kentucky sports culture.

For New Listeners…

This episode offers a lively taste of everything KSR is known for: breaking sports news, community angles, old-school nostalgia, unique local stories, and the collective anxiety, hope, and humor of Big Blue Nation. You'll hear meaningful discussion on student-athlete opportunities, city development, moving sports media moments, and a passionate look ahead to college basketball’s biggest weekend.