7-10-2026 - KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 1 | July 10, 2026

Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson, (with guest interaction from Tab Ramos)
Location: Live at UK Credit Union in Nicholasville, KY

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Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) finds Matt Jones and the crew broadcasting live from the UK Credit Union in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The main themes include light-hearted reflections on past show locations, ongoing controversies around local infrastructure (notably a landfill expansion), in-depth discussion of the latest UK Athletics administrative contracts, analysis of recent college basketball recruiting and program decisions, reflections on the economics of college sports, and a humorous look at sports fandom and memorabilia.

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Key Topics & Detailed Breakdown

1. Reflections on Past Show Locations & Landfill Controversy

• The team reminisces about broadcasting from unique locations, highlighting a recent show at a landfill in Mount Sterling, which led to unexpected media attention due to a local controversy over landfill expansion.

  Notable Quote:
  "We did a show once in a funeral home... but I would say [the landfill] was right there with it." — Matt Jones [03:42]

• Matt and the others clarify their neutrality, noting they were unaware of the political situation and were present only for the remote broadcast.

• Shannon Dawson weighs in on the landfill expansion:

  • "If you don't want them to expand it, then what’s the alternative? ... You gotta put it somewhere." [06:04]

• The crew expresses gratitude to the landfill hosts, noting how pleasant the experience was—including a hot dog vendor who impressed everyone.

  Notable Quote:
  “That’s the best hot dog I’ve ever had. And if you told me the best hot dog you ever will have is at a landfill... I would not have believed that.”—Matt Jones [06:58]

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2. Cincinnati Reds Attendance & “Superfan” Anecdote

• Matt recounts a trip to a lackluster Reds game, observing a lone fan in full uniform who spent the entire game standing in right field (to social media fame).

  • Discussion on fandom “weirdness” vs. “awesomeness.”

  Notable Quotes:
  "Full uniform. Ended up on Sports Center. ... Is that awesome or weird?" — Matt Jones [09:10]
  "Now, if your team's a joke... sure, go have fun. Goof off..." — Drew Franklin [09:37]

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3. UK Athletics: Mitch Barnhart's New Contract and J. Bat's Arrival

• News breaks about the restructuring of retiring UK AD Mitch Barnhart’s financial deal:

  • Originally set for $5 million, now reduced to $3.9 million for one day/week of work.
  • Hosts emphasize separating the poor optics of the original deal from the positive gesture of Barnhart accepting less money.
  • Skepticism remains about the need for the "Executive in Residence" position.

  Notable Quotes:
  "The deal to give Mitch... was absolutely bogus and awful. ... But, he agreed to take essentially about a million dollars less..." — Matt Jones [10:50]
  "Mainly, I'm just glad this is settled. ... I guess he will work 52 days a year." — Drew Franklin [13:28]

• UK paid $3.9 million buyout for new AD J. Bat; discussion about the ballooning "buyout budget" for coaches and admins.

  • "If you're paying a buyout of $4 million, he better be good." — Matt Jones [20:44]

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4. “Free Kirk” Controversy on Social Media

• The team gently roasts Mario for an ill-advised social media post with the hashtag "Free Kirk" shortly after a federal indictment.

  • Discussion of the perils of social posts in legal contexts.

  Notable Quotes:
  “Just as a general rule of thumb... when people have had a federal indictment less than a week ago, we generally don’t take the position ‘free them’...” — Matt Jones [15:46]

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5. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding Trash Memorabilia

• Amusement and incredulity at reports of someone selling “crystal cubes” made from the couple’s wedding trash for $100 a piece, selling out immediately.

  Notable Quotes:
  "This is one of the most like end-of-society things I’ve ever seen." — Matt Jones [22:23]
  “If people are stupid enough to pay that…” — Shannon Dawson [23:41]

• Broader reflection on the extremes of modern celebrity memorabilia markets (e.g., Tom Brady retirement sand, air in jars).

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6. College Basketball Recruiting & Program Evaluations

• Marcus Spears Jr. & Reclassification:

  • Top 2027 recruit, heavily pursued by UK, is reclassing and going to Texas, stinging for Kentucky but viewed as a new trend (top players leveraging NIL for two years).
  • Drew and Matt note that being a “two-and-done” will become more common in this NIL era.

  Notable Quotes:
  “I think you’re going to see a lot more kids who are able to do that do that in this new era.” — Matt Jones [26:09]

• Program Scheduling and National Exposure:

  • Listeners expressed disappointment that UK isn’t engaging in more marquee events/tournaments as promised, especially compared to Duke (Amazon games) and others.
  • Praise for Arkansas playing high-visibility Thanksgiving games: "It's brilliant because you get the NFL audience when it ends..." — Matt Jones [44:59]

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7. Economics & Sustainability in College Athletics

• Long-term sustainability of current buyout deals debated.
  • “This can’t go on forever, this money they’re spending...” — Drew Franklin [30:19]
  • Three or four SEC teams reportedly unlikely to make budget this year (Kentucky not among them), fueling concerns about college sports finances.

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8. Listener Interactions: Hypotheticals & Fair/Foul

• Would you rather a season with no head coach or no fans? Nearly unanimous: rather have a head coachless season than empty stands, referencing the 2020 pandemic season’s oddness.
• “Fair or foul?” — Stanley Cup owner puts his entire family on the trophy:
  • General consensus: excessive, diminishes the meaning, sympathy for staff/acquaintances left off in favor of family.
  • "All kids are snotty." — Shannon Dawson [36:21]

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9. Keeping Successful Coaches in Kentucky — Changing Dynamics

• Discussed whether a successful coach (e.g., Will Stein in football) would stay if winning big:
  • Matt argues the landscape has shifted post-NIL and post-Indiana’s national title run; Drew adds job security and personal ties matter more now.

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10. Mark Pope Era: Closing Listener Concerns

• Listeners want more transparency/control over fan expectations regarding recruiting (esp. after Nicola saga).
  • Matt advocates for clearer communication ("Controlling expectations to me is a huge thing coaches need to do" [48:43]).

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "First time wearing those highlighter yellow vests, which we got to keep. I went and hung mine up at home." — Drew Franklin [03:54]
• “That’s the best hot dog I’ve ever had. ... If you told me the best hot dog you will ever have is at a landfill ... I would not have believed that.” — Matt Jones [06:58]
• "He was in a full uniform...He can’t be married or have a girlfriend." — Matt Jones [09:08]
• "Short answer: It shows...the original deal was bogus." — Matt Jones [21:33]
• "Mainly, I'm just glad this is settled. ... I guess he will work 52 days a year." — Drew Franklin [13:28]
• “Just as a general rule of thumb for KSR…when people have had a federal indictment less than a week ago, we generally don't take the position ‘free them’...” — Matt Jones [15:46]
• “If you look at it, it’s like a napkin or it could be whatever.” — Matt Jones [24:19]
• “I think now that nil exists, you’re going to see a lot of kids who have the age, ability to just go and be two and done right.” — Matt Jones [26:09]
• “Three or four SEC programs ... will not be able to make budget this year and they’re not sure what they’re going to do ...” — Matt Jones [30:32]
• “All kids are snotty. Every one of them.” — Shannon Dawson [36:21]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:40 — Funeral home show and landfill recap/hot dog story
• 05:29 — Landfill controversy in Mount Sterling
• 09:10 — Cincinnati Reds fandom story (Superfan in full uniform)
• 10:45 — Mitch Barnhart’s exit contract saga analysis
• 15:45 — “Free Kirk” indictment social media mishap
• 22:23 — Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce wedding trash cubes
• 26:00 — Marcus Spears Jr. recruiting/college basketball trends
• 30:32 — Tough financial forecast for several SEC athletic programs
• 33:07 — Stanley Cup family name “fair/foul” debate
• 44:59 — College basketball scheduling/TV exposure: UK vs. Arkansas/Duke
• 46:03 — Will Kentucky keep successful coaches?
• 48:43 — Listener question: Coach transparency around recruiting

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Tone and Style

KSR remains loose, candid, and playful, with classic Kentucky colloquialisms and banter. The hosts effortlessly shift between analysis and humor, connect local issues to larger trends, and let listener questions steer part of the hour. The conversation is relatable, unscripted, and frequently leans into self-deprecation (“Maybe I was stupid enough to not know…” [41:38]).

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Conclusion

This hour of Kentucky Sports Radio provided a potent mix of local charm, college athletics inside scoop, plenty of laughs, and genuine fan engagement. Whether it’s hot dog evaluations at the landfill or in-depth debate about million-dollar buyouts, KSR delivers the Kentucky sports pulse in real time.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

Ice Cube's Big Three season is heating up. The most competitive basketball league on earth is on CBS this Sunday. The defending champion Miami 305 led by two time MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on the Houston ring hands looking for their first win. Then coach Steven Jackson and the DMV trilogy look to take down the undefeated Dallas power led by coach Nancy Lieberman and captain Greg Monroe. The game played the way you love. Watch live Sunday on CBS at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific and catch replays Mondays on BET. Presented by iHeart.

[Tab Ramos]

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[Matt Jones]

It's time to celebrate and play your favorite Las Vegas casino games by American

[Drew Franklin]

owned spinquest.com what's better than fireworks and American Pie?

[Matt Jones]

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[Drew Franklin]

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[Matt Jones]

on sale for 10 spinquest.com buy American players. For American players, Spin Quest is a free to play social casino Boyd where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. You know what your customers are doing right this second? The exact same thing. You are listening to me. Which, let's be honest, is kind of flattering. But my point Is ads on iHeartRadio

[Drew Franklin]

actually get heard in the car, at

[Matt Jones]

the gym, on the couch while people

[Drew Franklin]

are walking their dogs.

[Matt Jones]

Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy? You're a good boy. That's right dude, you're a good. So why not make the next ad about you?

[Drew Franklin]

Get started today.

[Matt Jones]

Call 844-844-IH iheart or go to iheartadvertising.com that's 844-844, iheart or iheartadvertising.com Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington welcomes Dale Jones June 25th through the 27th. Then catch Ariel Elias July 10th and 11th and don't miss Brian Bates July 17th and 18th. Comedy Off Broadway opened in downtown Lexington in 1987. And they're still bringing the best in stand up comedy to the area 39 years later. For tickets, call 859-271-JOKE or visit comedyoffbroadway.com welcome, everybody. This is Kentucky Sports Radio here live in Nicholasville at the UK Credit Union right off of Highway 21. Is that right? Is what 7 27? That's close enough. Here on a be well, not beautiful day. Kind of a terrible rainy day, but we're under a tent. Great crowd. And you can give us 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 edition, sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office. If you call TJ, he'll make them pay. We actually haven't done a show in the. In the Nicholsville area in a while, and then even in Lexington. It's been, you know, probably since the end of the season. So nice to be out here and great seeing everyone. We are back, Ryan, or excuse me, Shannon and Drew. After being at a landfill yesterday, which was one of the more unique locations, I would go ahead and say maybe the. The most unique location, Drew, that we've ever done, I think. You know, I was thinking about it on the way back. We did a show once in a funeral home. You remember that?

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, no, I do not.

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, I do. Because Ryan wouldn't stop talking about it. He's like, everybody's dying to be here.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that was down in Casey County. We did a show at a funeral home. But I would say this was right there with it.

[Drew Franklin]

First time wearing those highlighter yellow vests, which we got to keep. I went and hung mine up at home.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I forgot. I didn't know that we were allowed to keep it. I. I walked into my restaurant for lunch and I had that on.

[Shannon Dawson]

See, I feel like you could use this to your advantage. You hate traffic. At any point, you could just put that vest on and go out and start directing traffic like you work for the state. Right this way. Come on around.

[Matt Jones]

That's actually a pretty good. Pretty good idea. But we are here at UK Credit Union, the only credit union in Newsweek's best in state rankings. Over 100 banks and credit unions in Kentucky who offer more than 200 checking accounts. But banking can just be simple. Here at UK Credit Union, one of our great sponsors, they have a mascot. Is it called Whiskers?

[Shannon Dawson]

Whiskers, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

Where's.

[Shannon Dawson]

What is Whiskers Whiskers needed a break. The humidity was getting to whiskey.

[Matt Jones]

I understand. Well, it's gotta be tough to be in that suit. So yesterday, you know, we went there. Here's what I didn't realize. First of all, you know, you go to a landfill, people want to talk about it. Right. Like, that's what I didn't realize until last night. I got a phone call from a local newspaper. I didn't know there was, like, a controversy in that town about, you know, they. I. I don't really know the details of it. And they were like, do you have a statement? And I said, no. I mean, OB.

[Shannon Dawson]

Come with the podcast. You had two hours of statements.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. But they asked me if I had a statement on the local controversy, and I was like, no, I didn't even know there was a controversy. Like, it's just a business that brought us out. So I had no idea what was going on. Got called during the show, and I. And that made me kind of look up and see what was happening.

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, they're looking to expand the landfill.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And I don't have an opinion on that. That's up. That's between. I'm like, that. My name's Paul. That's between y', all, the citizens and Rumpke. But the people were very nice. And you have to have landfills. And I. Actually, the. What I took away from it is I've never been to a landfill. Well, ever. But I've never been to one that smelled, that didn't have really a smell.

[Tab Ramos]

Well, my quote.

[Shannon Dawson]

Sorry, Drew. My question would be like, okay, if you don't expand it, then what's the alternative?

[Matt Jones]

Don't get weighing into controversies.

[Shannon Dawson]

No, no, I got an opinion on this.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Mount Sterling paper. Call Shannon. Call me. His opinion. Yeah.

[Shannon Dawson]

Okay. If you don't want them to expand it, then what's the alternative?

[Matt Jones]

I don't know.

[Shannon Dawson]

You got to put it somewhere.

[Matt Jones]

Are you gonna weigh in on.

[Shannon Dawson]

I'm weighing in on it right now.

[Drew Franklin]

Email for comment, too. I'll forward.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, did you get an comment, too?

[Drew Franklin]

I want to be like, look, I don't know my own local politics. I certainly don't know Mount Sterling.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Well, all right.

[Drew Franklin]

Enjoyed it. I had a good time.

[Matt Jones]

Dear Mount Sterling advocate, if you have a. If you have a question, Shannon, the dude will be speaking on the issue.

[Shannon Dawson]

See you at court days in Mount Sterling. I love that festival.

[Drew Franklin]

I had a good time. Controversy side. Whatever's going on.

[Matt Jones]

They were very. They were. Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Fun.

[Matt Jones]

They were very nice. Thanks to Rumpke. And they gave us. I don't know if you looked in that bag, it had a ton of stuff.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I was like, wow, hot dogs were good. Oh, that's. I didn't want to say whatever Harley hot dogs is down there. That's the best hot dog I've ever had.

[Shannon Dawson]

Awesome.

[Matt Jones]

It was awesome.

[Shannon Dawson]

I got one to go and one there.

[Drew Franklin]

I called him on tick tock. He's got a big following. He just tick tocks his hot dog making.

[Tab Ramos]

I'm.

[Matt Jones]

I'm gonna say to you, I don't know where he's based, but Covington Harley's Hot Dogs. That's the best hot dog I've ever had. And if you had told me the best hot dog you ever will have is at a landfill in. In Mount Sterling, I would not have believed that. But that's exactly what happened.

[Drew Franklin]

It's like the Toby Keith trash dogs.

[Matt Jones]

That's exactly right. Shannon. I went to the Reds game, drove up there.

[Shannon Dawson]

Apologize.

[Matt Jones]

They are so terrible. But enjoyed the game. Went with hubby. The. The thing I took away from it is it is very difficult to watch a baseball team where you know that they're not going to score.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like at any point think about that. And you know, when I. With my seats, I can like I'm right behind home plate so I can see the pitches. And they had a guy named Jesus as their pitcher. I knew we were in trouble. When you're trying to hit against Jes man. And Jesus, he. He had a. What do you call it? A sinker. That's a pitch, right?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

And when he threw it, you just. You could watch it. And they weren't even close to the ball ever.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So the whole time it was like. It's like you just dread we're going to lose this game. It's just a matter of when. And then we did and the. And Brady Singer pitched really well, but didn't matter.

[Shannon Dawson]

We still lost. Well, when Jesus throws the sinker, you're not going to hit it. I don't care who you are. So I feel bad that you drove all the way up there and they couldn't even be bothered to score run for you.

[Matt Jones]

And they were never close to scoring a run at any point during the game. Hey, who ha Suarez. You know, I like that he's nice to Jim Day, but he stinks. Everybody stinks. He always says they stink.

[Shannon Dawson]

Can we talk?

[Drew Franklin]

The attendance in the atmosphere like now that they are just.

[Matt Jones]

Well, did you see the guy who dressed in full uniform? Did you See that video? That was you for a minute. Kind of looked like you for. You need to look. I. I post him online. There was a guy who stood in right field and he was by himself. And he was in a full uniform, Reds uniform, the whole game, like by himself. And he stood the entire game, had a glove on and was just rocking back and forth the entire game, all two hours. No, I. I have no idea who that man is. He can't be married or have a girlfriend.

[Shannon Dawson]

No, no.

[Matt Jones]

That's what I was gonna say. Full uniform. Ended up on Sports Center. Last night when they were leading into Sports center, they showed him in the crowd. Is that awesome or weird?

[Shannon Dawson]

Maybe they should look into giving. You know, maybe he could hit. I think it's weird for sure. You know, we shame adults who go to games with baseball gloves. This guy went full uniform. He basically put himself on the roster.

[Matt Jones]

He was wearing the pants.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You rarely see the people wear the pants. He was wearing the pants.

[Drew Franklin]

I thought it was awesome. Now, if you do that, like Yankees, Red Sox, playoffs. No, but if your team's a joke and there's no one around him, there's

[Matt Jones]

no one else, no one near him.

[Drew Franklin]

Sure, go have fun. Goof off like Shannon said. Maybe they'll call you.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe he was out there the whole game. Like, he wasn't just out there for the camera shot. Watched him. He was out there from the first inning to the ninth inning, the entire time stretched.

[Drew Franklin]

Did a little batting.

[Matt Jones]

He would stretch. Yes. He would do this. And he. It was like he was going to be ready when that foul ball or when it stinks.

[Drew Franklin]

Maybe you're taking that opportunity. Maybe they'll hit a ball, I'll catch it, and they'll call me up.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, we can't be worse than the guys we have. So that was so. You're one awesome one.

[Shannon Dawson]

We're completely weird. What are you going. You get the brain Weird because I

[Matt Jones]

saw him in person and no offense, I would I lean a little bit weird now. When I got on the drive, the news broke about the Mitch Barnhart and J bat contracts. If you didn't hear, Mitch Barnhart, his deal with UK is now done. They've read done everything where essentially he agreed to take a little bit less money. He's going to be paid $40,000 a year to work one day a week.

[Drew Franklin]

Amazing.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know what he's doing that day a week.

[Shannon Dawson]

American drink.

[Matt Jones]

The total payout for the contract's gonna end up being million. I'm going to have a view of this that's a little bit probably unpopular, but I actually think it's valid, which is you got to separate this into phases. The deal to give Mitch to extend his, you know, whatever you want to call it, to extend his retirement money back in March and create a job for him was absolutely bogus and awful. And we called it out, the governor called it out. It was a disaster. And so none of what I'm about to say changes that. That was a joke. It was called out as a joke and it should have been. With that said, they agreed to that deal. Mitch has now agreed to take essentially about a little over a million dollars less than that deal. And I actually think he deserves some credit for that. He doesn't have to do that. He could just say, you pay me this, he's doing that. So now it's 3.9. Before it was 5. Now I still think the 3.9 is kind of ridiculous. At the same time, Mitch didn't have to agree to that. So I do think it's good that he did that. I think those are two different issues. So when I heard that, I was actually like, that's a decent gesture by Mitch to do. What do you got?

[Shannon Dawson]

I think it's just more of a bad deal on the person who gave him that to begin with. I think that, you know, him actually taking less is respectable. You know, I still think, as you said, the 3 million is ridiculous. He's going to be all right either way. But he could have made it a lot worse on contest.

[Matt Jones]

We could have just said, look, give

[Shannon Dawson]

it, give it all to me.

[Matt Jones]

I agreed to it. I mean, I also think if you look at the language, at one point they say severance. I don't know if people realize you only get a severance if you get fired.

[Shannon Dawson]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

He retired and my, well, sort of. I mean, my view has always been he was pushed out. I mean I, that's my view. They'll never say that, but I do believe that's true. I do believe they pushed him out. I think maybe they slipped up and used the word severance in there because you don't use severance with retirements. So I don't know. What do you think? Drew, you were, I mean, you dislike that deal even more than I was.

[Drew Franklin]

Head knucklehead.

[Tab Ramos]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Setzer and Linda Blackford for one. I, it just further proves how bogus the executive in residence of the UK Sports.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

It went from a full time job to one day a week, $40,000. It was it was a five day a week job, $1,000,000 a year, and now it's one day a week,$40,000 a year.

[Drew Franklin]

Mainly. I'm just glad this is settled. I almost said he's out of here. I guess he will work 52 days a year.

[Shannon Dawson]

But my.

[Matt Jones]

My biggest.

[Drew Franklin]

As they said, Eli's gonna go raise it with private money.

[Matt Jones]

Who is just gonna be like, I

[Drew Franklin]

would love to give you 3 million just for a man to be retired.

[Matt Jones]

Would you give anything to that?

[Drew Franklin]

Hell no. Also, if Eli is so good at finding that much money, hopefully you can find more, because that would take some.

[Matt Jones]

You know who could find that money?

[Shannon Dawson]

Kirk Rehearse.

[Matt Jones]

Irene and Kirk re. Could get that money if it's.

[Shannon Dawson]

By the way, did Mario post a picture of Kirk Creasy?

[Matt Jones]

Just.

Okay, you know what, Mario? We have to have a conversation.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Put that phone down and come over here.

[Shannon Dawson]

Buckle up. Put your phone down. Come here, Mario.

[Matt Jones]

You're gonna get. You're gonna get a Billy moment here for a second where we have to talk about something because I love you, Mario, and I'm very uncritical of Mario. Are you there?

[Shannon Dawson]

I'm there.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Tab Ramos]

What's up?

[Matt Jones]

You know I love you, but. But, oh, boy. You put a picture up yesterday of Kirk. Reason?

[Tab Ramos]

I did.

[Matt Jones]

Just walking down the street. Did you take that picture?

I didn't.

I was sent that. Okay, all right. That's fair. That's. I guess.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Shannon Dawson]

Not take.

[Matt Jones]

That wasn't so much the photo. Why did you hashtag Free Kirk? Reason? Well, I mean, it was a joke. It wasn't supposed to be like. But you can see how people might not think that's a joke.

[Tab Ramos]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I noticed that on social media. You noticed the hundred comments say, what are you doing? Yeah. Did you consider taking it down? I did on Twitter, but Facebook. I left it up.

It's Facebook. They.

They reacted a little bit different.

[Shannon Dawson]

They got.

[Matt Jones]

They got it on Facebook.

[Shannon Dawson]

They got my.

[Matt Jones]

What did they get? What's the joke? I didn't get, you know, it's free. Kirkusa. Yeah, no, I understand. What.

The words.

I know the words, but why? What was the joke? You know, she's free. Hopefully not hopefully, but we'll see. Let's just wait and see what happens.

[Shannon Dawson]

Stop talking. I think it's making worse.

[Matt Jones]

He's a big fan of the legal process.

[Shannon Dawson]

I'm gonna defend you. I'm gonna say that you. He is free right now, like, as.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, okay. So you're saying he's. At this moment. He is Free.

[Shannon Dawson]

Not saying he should be free. But right now he's. See. Let me defend you, Mario.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Maybe you need legal counsel to talk to.

[Shannon Dawson]

All right.

[Matt Jones]

Just as a general rule of thumb for ksr.

[Tab Ramos]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

When people have had a federal indictment less than a week ago, we generally don't take the position free them

without

some knowledge more than just the indictment. That's true now.

[Tab Ramos]

Now I know.

[Matt Jones]

So this is the future. Maybe not as much free, you know.

Yeah.

Because I don't know how where that goes in the future. That's very true.

[Drew Franklin]

We don't want to be on the wrong side of history.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So is that. Do we understand?

Yes.

I. I totally get it. Okay. Good. All right. Nice to see you.

[Shannon Dawson]

They could do hashtag lock them up.

[Matt Jones]

We did free Innis. We did free Big Z. Yeah. It's a little different with free Big

[Drew Franklin]

Z. I wanted boozy free sometimes you free people.

[Matt Jones]

But maybe we got to be free. We got to be careful free crimes. And we, we do need to be careful with that. 859-280-2287. The text. That's weird. Facebook would be more forgiving of it than Twitter.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. They're the ones that got scammed.

[Shannon Dawson]

Exactly.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Text machine is 772-774-5254. People still coming up and joining us here at UK Credit Union. We're going to take a break and be right back. This is Kentucky sports radio. Ice cubes.

Big three season is heating up. The most competitive basketball league on earth is on CBS this Sunday. The defending champion Miami 305 led by two time MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on the Houston ring hands looking for their first win. Then coach Steven Jackson and the DMV trilogy look to take down the undefeated Dallas power led by coach Nancy Lieberman and captain Greg Monroe. The game played the way you love. Watch live Sunday on CBS at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific and catch replays Mondays on BET. Presented by iHeart.

[Tab Ramos]

This is Tab Ramos from inside American soccer. And this summer topgolf is turning into the ultimate soccer destination. They're not just throwing games on in the background. Topgolf is going all in on soccer. They've got a new soccer themed game you can play with your group. Special in venue activations, exclusive food and drink items inspired by the global game. And at more than 60 locations, they've even installed full size soccer goals so you can try to hit golf balls right into the net. And every match all summer long will be on throughout the venue. So it's a Great place to watch with friends, hang out, compete a little bit and enjoy the atmosphere. And if you want to keep the fun going all summer, you can get the topgolf Summer Fun Pass which lets you play every single day and bring up to five guests every visit. Get yours [e-mail] FunPass Summer hits different at TopGolf.

[Matt Jones]

Hey guys, lady luck here. Are you going on any road trips this summer? I know I'm going to be going on a bunch of road trips and being that I'm going to be passenger Princess, I Love playing on Spinquest.com Spinquest has all of my favorite slot games. Live blackjack, live craps. Head over to Spinquest right now and get yourself a 30 coin pack for just 10 bucks. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino, Boyd. Where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[iHeart Radio Announcer]

These days it's getting harder and harder to trust what you're seeing. Who made it? Is it real? But with iHeart, everything you hear is guaranteed human. That's why 78% of listeners trust their favorite radio host's product recommendations. And if you own or manage a business here or need to drive sales, that trust goes a long way in creating your Future customers. Make iHeartMedia a part of your 2026 plan today. Visit iHeartAdvertising.com Again, that's iHeartAdvertising.com welcome back.

[Matt Jones]

It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at UK Credit Union. Let's say you need a high yield savings account. Shannon. Yeah, just thinking. Do you know what a high yield savings account is?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Well, let's say you need one 4.0 APY right here at UK Federal. UK Credit Union. That's actually a great deal for a high yield savings account. You can do it right here, up to $25,000. Perfect place to give your savings somewhere to chill while it works hard for you. I don't know why I touched your belly.

[Shannon Dawson]

It's okay, you can touch my belly.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, but I have one here.

[Drew Franklin]

I bank here and I have one of their high yield savings accounts.

[Tab Ramos]

Well, good.

[Matt Jones]

That's right. UK Credit union people, thanks for having us out. Stop talking. We are here. Sell your bank gear later. All right? Now, in addition to, in addition to the Mitch Barnhart News, J Bat has agreed to start July 28th. We ended up having to pay a buyout of $3.9 million. Remember, it was originally 2.5, but then the deal could have been 5. They come to 3.9. I will say, Drew, you know you many Years ago. Got me with the phrase of it's not my money, which is kind of true. With this. At the same time, he better be good. If you're paying a buyout of $4 million. That's a lot of money for an ad buyout. He better be good.

[Drew Franklin]

What are we paying in buyouts? What is our buyout budget? I mean.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you got Mitch, him, and Stoops. I mean, your. Our buyout budget has to be over $10 million a year right now.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, but I mean, if you want to go out and get one of the best in the country, which is what they believe he is, and he's got a buyout, I mean, you got to pay that and make it happen. So I guess I'm fine with it. We're sitting on Scrooge McDuck money, so as you said, not mine.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that was a bad phrase for them to use. But I mean, the Stoops buyout is like $7 million a year. The Mitch by the Mitch thing is 760,000. This is 3.9 million. And it's all this year.

[Drew Franklin]

And we're lucky we don't have Cal on top of that.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, it's, It's. It is an amazing amount of money that the school owes.

[Shannon Dawson]

We're doing it wrong. I mean, my God, these guys are getting paid that much money to not work.

[Matt Jones]

To not work.

[Shannon Dawson]

Incredible. What a deal.

[Matt Jones]

One person writes. Matt, here's my thing about the Mitch bout.

It shows the.

It just is even more proof the original deal was bogus.

If.

If you are able to buy it out with that level of money and he doesn't need to do the job, then that means the job was ridiculous to begin with, which means their explanations were ridiculous. You're. That's true. I mean, that's a completely fair point.

[Drew Franklin]

They did say they're going to fill it, though.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you think they'll pay a million dollars?

[Drew Franklin]

No. But. Do you think that will ever even exist? The.

[Matt Jones]

No, I don't. I mean, maybe they'll create it for a year just to. But, like, do I make more money? Yeah, just. But just to save face. But no, I do not think it will. It will be.

[Drew Franklin]

I will say I've never felt more validated on that one than the recent Mitch news. You should.

[Matt Jones]

859280-2287 we got a bunch of random stuff here today, but this is maybe my favorite story of the day. Did you see about the guy who's selling garbage from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey's?

Wedding.

No, no. This is one of the most like end of the society things I've ever seen. So a guy went to Madison Square garbage. And you know when. By the way, you all may not know this, it's a good thing for, you know, if you're, especially if you're engaged in criminal activity. Maybe somebody should have told Kirk Crease it is when you throw your trash out. The police can come and get it and it's not a fourth amendment violation. And as even further, once you put it out on a public street, people can grab it. There's not a whole lot you can do about it. So you got to be careful what you throw in the trash. So I can. So this guy claims that when Madison Square Garden threw out the trash from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey's wedding, he went and got a bunch of bags of it, took it home with him and he has made crystal cubes out of the trash from the wedding. And he went on Tik Tok and he sold them for a hundred dollars each. Now here's what's crazy. He made 150 of them sold out within 10 minutes.

[Shannon Dawson]

It's incredible. I really wish I would have thought of this yesterday when I was in a landfill. I would have filled up some bags and said this is from Taylor Swift's wedding.

[Drew Franklin]

This is from a KSR remote.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, that's. Okay, that's like first of all, there's no proof it's from Taylor.

[Drew Franklin]

You don't know what it's from.

[Matt Jones]

How you gonna like, do you trust the tick tock certified trash guy?

[Shannon Dawson]

But if people are stupid enough to pay that.

[Matt Jones]

But let's just say it was from their wedding.

[Tab Ramos]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Would you, what would you want a hundred dollars worth of Taylor Swift wedding?

[Drew Franklin]

I do not need a half eaten hot dog from George Kittle or Mike Vrabel. I will say the guy who did it. This is genius. And yes, you. I knew it would sell out because Swifties are crazy. I also saw someone is putting air in jars they claim is from the wedding. You can buy these.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, well that's just. If you, if you buy that, you're.

[Drew Franklin]

But, but I think it's genius by the guy and ridiculous that someone would buy it. But I'm not surprised people are buying it.

[iHeart Radio Announcer]

It.

[Matt Jones]

I, I'm a little surprised. I mean, I, I'm a little surprised because if you look at it, if you go look at them, you can see and it can. It's like a napkin or it could be whatever.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah, I know that People, I mean, some people buy anything. Remember when Tom Brady did his retirement video on a beach? There were people that were selling sand from where he was sitting and people were. Actually some people were buying that. Yeah, I mean some. I guess some people buy anything.

[Matt Jones]

So would you. If you knew it would be sold, would you have stood outside Madison Square Garden, gotten that trash, put it in the dude mobile and taken it home?

[Shannon Dawson]

I'm not too.

[Drew Franklin]

Also, you're recycling.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yes, exactly. You are trying to help out.

[Tab Ramos]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You are recycling. Okay, couple basketball news tidbits. Marcus Spears Jr. The number one ranked player in the class of 2027, a guy that Kentucky has recruited heavily. Some people thought Kentucky was in the top two or three with him. He announced yesterday that he's going to Texas but also reclassifying to this year year. So he is skipping this last year of high school and reclassifying. He'll be in College for two years and the number one guy will move to the class of 2026. I've not seen anything to see where he'll end up in the rankings in 2026, but it'll probably be pretty high because the class as a whole wasn't great. This is Marcus Spears on TV's Son. Couple things. One, stinks for Kentucky because I think Kentucky had a legitimate shot at him at one point. So you lose a chance to get a really, really high end recruit. Two, Drew, I think this is a symbol. You're going to see a lot more kids do this. I think now that nil exists, you're going to see a lot of kids who have the age, ability to just go and be two and done right. Why not go and get paid for two years instead of one? He still won't be eligible for the draft, but he now has two years of college. And if you think about it, he could make four or five million dollars each year and now you're getting ten million dollars where you go. So I think it makes a lot of sense. I think you're gonna see a lot more kids who are able to do that do that in this new era.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I mean, what you gotta give up your senior year. Most of them are going to academies that's not in their hometowns anyway. So what's the matter? The double dip on Nil and you're, you're playing up in competition at a younger age, which should help your development or in your case, in his case, I think he's gonna be pretty good right away. Might contribute to be pretty well for Texas. That's A big get for them. But I think this could be very common. Even Costa Rica, he's kind of doing the same thing. This is two year plan is going to start getting very common for the top players.

[Matt Jones]

I'm glad you brought up Costa Rica. I think with Spears and Costa Rica, those are dudes that become very valuable because they might stay two years. Kentucky probably came in second on both of them. I mean, I think they probably were second best on both. So it stinks. You don't get them. And by the way, Texas is going to be really good. Like when you talk about the sec, I think Florida and Texas are national championship contenders and then we're kind of in that group of the next three or four schools. But when we play Tech, we play them here or there.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, I don't know that off top of my head.

[Matt Jones]

If we play them here, that's going to be a heck of a game. I kind of think we might be there. But regardless, that'll be great. We'll take a break. Be right back. Here in Nicholsville, it's a UK credit union, ksr. Welcome back Tuckee Sports Radio here in Nicholasville, we are right off of Highway 27. UK Credit Union, come on in. I was saying during my drive here, it is insane to me how much the road from man of war in Lexington to here, how much has been added just in the last year or two on this drive. I mean this is, this is basically Nicholsville Road extended. Now in terms of business out here, Nicholsville growing at a huge rate. If I thought about it since we're in Jessamine County, I'd have probably had Billy do his Jessamine county facts today. But I didn't think about it. So it'll be Bracken and Breckenridge. But it is amazing, this area. I mean, I remember when there was nothing out here and then there was the one place which I guess is across the street there. And now you. It's almost like extended from all the way from downtown.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, we did a summer show there. A Clark's right over there and they, they got a Long John Silver that pops.

[Matt Jones]

That's. I saw that Long John Silver.

[Shannon Dawson]

I didn't know that was that popular. It's so popular.

[Matt Jones]

Remember when it came, when it came out here, the people were down the road waiting for long johns. I'm even thinking about maybe grabbing some long johns on the way home. I haven't, I haven't had long johns in so long.

[Drew Franklin]

You're right, it has popped up over here. I used to Come out here a little bit. But it was nothing. And now, I mean, there's just something on every. Every turn.

[Matt Jones]

Thanks to UK Credit Union, who's been a longtime sponsor of us for having us. One person, right, writes. Matt, I don't understand why you and fans continue to go crazy about Mitch Barnhart's deal. And don't say anything about Mark Stoops deal. We're paying him $9 million a year. That's ridiculous. Mitch takes all the heat, but Mark Stoops is the one getting all the money. Well, who gave Mark Stoops that money?

[Shannon Dawson]

Mitch Barnhart.

[Matt Jones]

Mitch Barnhart. I mean, like, I, I, you know, I can't get, I can't get mad at Mark Stoops for taking money that was offered him. It was market value at the time. They like, do I think that deal in hindsight was dumb? Yeah. But I understand why they gave it. And I'm not mad at Mark Stoops. Like, why would he not take money given to him? That's actually, you know, that's the thing about Mitch Barnhart's legacy. It's good and bad. Right. Like, he did a lot of good stuff. He also gave a lot of bad contracts. It's really good of him that he's taking a million dollars less. It's also bad of him that he gave the deal to Mark Stoops that we're paying $9 million for. Like, not everything is black and white. But I actually don't blame Mark Stoop, Shannon, for taking that money. If they offer it, he's gonna take it.

[Shannon Dawson]

Who wouldn't take it? I think the bigger issue is that the buyouts just in college sports in general are absurd and they're going to continue to grow. And, you know, you have to do it because everybody else is doing it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Shannon Dawson]

So you're kind of stuck back in, backed into a corner. And that's the situation they're in.

[Tab Ramos]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

This can't go on forever, this money they're spending. Even that LSU email went around. I know they're spending more than anyone, but they're like, we can't operate the way we're operating right now. So many places are going have to figure this out because you can't just keep stacking.

[Matt Jones]

No one can.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, I stacking these buyouts and then pay players and everything else.

[Matt Jones]

I was talking to somebody at ESPN that told me there are three or four SEC programs who will not be able to make budget this year and they're not sure what they're going to do like three or four. I mean, that's not like random schools. SEC programs that it will not be able to make budget this year. And I was like, it's Kentucky. One of them. They're like, no, that's not one of them. But, you know, I don't know who they are. You could probably take some guesses, but, you know, if you were to guess which one, I would say, what? Mississippi State.

[Drew Franklin]

They came to mind.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, who's. Who's owing a lot? You know, you wonder about Auburn. They've spent so much money on buyouts over things over the years.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So I don't know who. I don't know who they are.

[Shannon Dawson]

Ole Miss being that situation.

[Drew Franklin]

Maybe it could be LSU with.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, Ole Miss got bailed out by the fact they don't pay. They're not gonna be paying nearly as much at. Now that lane's gone. So I don't know. You know, I don't know. Who's up next, Rick? Have Isaiah up first. Isaiah, go ahead, Isaiah.

[Drew Franklin]

Hey, Matt, can you hear me?

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Go for it.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay. I just had a question.

[Matt Jones]

Just for the future, assume that I can hear you. If I can't hear you, I will tell you. I can't hear you. I. You don't just assume. Now go ahead.

[Drew Franklin]

All right, I appreciate it. If you guys had to choose either one season without a head coach or

[Shannon Dawson]

one season without fans, which would you pick?

[Matt Jones]

In what sport?

[Drew Franklin]

Basketball. Sorry.

[Matt Jones]

I appreciate the call. Without question, Drew, one season without a head coach. I mean, we went through the seasons without fans. It's a different atmosphere. It was also the worst, worst team in the history of UK basketball. So I'm gonna go ahead and say, you know, just give us. Without a coach. There have been times over the years it felt like we didn't have a coach anyway in various games. So I'm okay with that.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, those cardboard cutouts were interesting for a year in 2021.

[Matt Jones]

You go back and look at that and go, I can't believe that's what happened.

[Shannon Dawson]

It was weird. Yeah, you're right. A lot of fans said, well, Coach Kyle just rolls the balls out there. Well, if you really believe that, then you think we went years without a coach.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

I mean, it is crazy that we just put cardboard cutouts of people's faces in the crowd because I was media.

[Drew Franklin]

I got to go. I would have people write me, will you go get a picture of my cardboard? I spent more time finding friends and their kids.

[Shannon Dawson]

That's right. I forgot they sold that didn't they. They sold that.

[Matt Jones]

They did.

[Shannon Dawson]

People, they forgot about that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Wild times. Okay, a Couple open lines. 859-280-2287. Fairfoul, did you see the, the controversy with my Carolina Hurricane chains?

[Shannon Dawson]

I heard about it on the pre show, but go ahead.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so the Carolina, the Stanley cup, which is one of the unique trophies, you get to carve your name into it for all time or at least for 40 years. Then they take all your names off, but you, you have your names and they put everyone on the team. And the theory is you put the head coach, the assistant coach, maybe the gm, the owner and the players. But in recent years, teams have started. The owner wants his family on there, so he gives his family like titles with the team so that they'll get on there. And the owner of the Hurricanes put his wife, his, his stepchild and his four children on there. And if you look at it, they're the first seven names on there. A lot of people are upset about this and going, you know, what did they do? They shouldn't be on there. If you were the owner put your children and your wife on the Stanley cup if you had the opportunity.

[Shannon Dawson]

No, because they didn't do anything. They weren't out there skating and getting checked. Well, the owner wasn't smashed in, their teeth kicked in. Yeah, but at least he owns it. They don't, they don't even work for that organization. Right.

[Matt Jones]

And are you gonna look at your wife and kids and say, no, honey, you didn't do anything?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely.

[Drew Franklin]

A spoiled Brad. Anyway, pick up the hockey stick, get out there.

[Matt Jones]

So you're telling me if, if I, if, if, if you owned a team and Abby said, honey, I'd love to be on the cup with you. The owner last year did it for his wife because the Florida Panthers owner did it last time. So like he wasn't the first one. The Florida Panthers owner did it. Honey, will you please do it for me? You're going to say no.

[Drew Franklin]

If you want to put your wife, put Drew and Abby Franklin or the Franklin so they. You don't need a bunch of spots. Spots for all your kids. Heck, a different sport. But the Titans coach has 16 kids. If they did that.

[Matt Jones]

I mean like he has 16 kids.

[Drew Franklin]

It's too many vans. Sounds like you already did. Yeah, you can't do that.

[Shannon Dawson]

I would get her a replica, she wouldn't know the difference. Yeah, this is you. I'll put the attack, I'll put her in entire family tree on there.

[Drew Franklin]

Put the Jones family and they can.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, there. It's come out there. People who've worked for the organization for a long time that didn't get on there. So, like, see, that's the first. Like, the head of PR didn't get on there, and he's worked there, like, 27 years. And. And the announcer, Tripp Tracy, who's worked for the team for 25 years, that maybe he's not on there. I. I would make the argument, honestly, shouldn't it just be the players? Like, why would. I don't understand why they put the. The management people on there anyway.

[Drew Franklin]

I was the owner. I wouldn't do it unless I had, like, extra spots. I'd make sure I was last. But PR or anyone that participated, I'd put them first.

[Shannon Dawson]

I get head coach, general manager, owner. But I think that's it. That's where you draw the line.

[Matt Jones]

I kind of agree.

[Shannon Dawson]

Wasn't there another guy that played, like, 38 games that Billy was telling me that didn't even get on there?

[Matt Jones]

So that. So the NHL has a rule that you. If you've played 41 games, you get on there.

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, imagine he played 40 games and

[Matt Jones]

this guy played 38. He was three games short.

[Shannon Dawson]

And you don't get on there, but there's snotty little kids get on there also.

[Drew Franklin]

You're the owner. You're rich. You got enough. You'll be fine if your name's not on the Stanley cup trophy.

[Matt Jones]

How do you know that their kid was snotty?

[Shannon Dawson]

All kids are snotty. Every one of them.

[Tab Ramos]

Really?

[Shannon Dawson]

Show me a kid that's not snotty. Is there a kid here?

[Tab Ramos]

No.

[Shannon Dawson]

Billy agrees. He hates kids, too.

[Matt Jones]

Wow.

[Shannon Dawson]

That kid's not snotty right there. That's the one kid that's not.

[Matt Jones]

That's the only kid that's not snotty right there. Yeah, I, I. By the way, I'm playing devil's advocate. I completely agree with you. There's no. I. I would make a strong argument the owner shouldn't even be on there. Like, he. But you know what?

What?

I'm with you, Drew. If the owner's gonna be on there, he should go last. I don't like that. The owner. I don't like when teams win the nat. Like the. Like when the NBA title, when the teams win, they hand it to the owner. I don't like that. You know, in hockey, they hand it to the players first and then the coach, and then the owner gets it last to me. That makes the most sense. But then on the Stanley cup, his name's there first. I don't like it.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I wonder if you want to be on it. Play. Play 41 games for your own team

[Matt Jones]

and make and I think they should have made an exception. Chin, you're allowed to make exceptions. They should have made an exception for the guy who played 38. Yeah, I mean, that's there.

[Shannon Dawson]

You're fighting for your life. When you're playing hockey, it's rough. You know, you're getting beat up three

[Matt Jones]

games short and they're like, nope, that's.

[Shannon Dawson]

That's lame. If you play one game, you belong on there more.

[Matt Jones]

So you can't do that. Then you'd have.

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, you got everybody's kids on there and a wife, their third wife and their second wife.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think they put your ex wives on there.

I do.

I would like it if they had to put all their wives on there.

[Shannon Dawson]

Third cousin twice removed.

[Matt Jones]

Baby mamas. They have to go on there too.

[Drew Franklin]

Wife finds stuff out just by looking at this. Jennifer.

[Matt Jones]

Sorry, honey. I had to grab a botanical buzz this summer with Cornbread's new non alcoholic Spritz, a crisp and refreshing functional beverage made with Adapt. Adaptogen. Yeah, I've been saying this. Well, I don't know why I can't now. Lemon balm and passion flower go to Liquor Barn, Total Wine, Fresh Market, Cox's or Evergreen Liquors and ask for Cornbread Spritz. Cornbread grown for the good life. We'll take a break and be right back here in Nicholsville. This is ksr.

Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up. The most competitive basketball league on earth is on CBS this Sunday. The defending champion Miami 305 led by two time MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on the Houston rig hands looking for their first win. Then coach Steven Jackson and the DMV trilogy look to take down the undefeated Dallas power. Led by coach Nancy Lieberman and captain Greg Monroe. The game played the way you love. Watch live Sunday on CBS at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific and catch replays Mondays on BET. Presented by iHeart.

[Tab Ramos]

This is Tab Ramos from inside American Soccer. And this summer, topgolf is turning into the ultimate soccer destination. They're not just throwing games on in the background. Topgolf is going all in on soccer. They've got a new soccer themed game you can play with your group. Special in venue activations, exclusive food and drink items inspired by the global game. And at more than 60 locations, they've even installed full size soccer goals so you can try to hit golf balls right into the net. And every match all summer long will be on throughout the venue. So it's a great place to watch with friends, hang out, compete a little bit and enjoy the atmosphere. And if you want to keep the fun going all summer, you can get the topgolf Summer Fun Pass which lets you play every single day and bring up to five guests every visit. Get yours [e-mail] FunPass Summer hits different at TopGolf.

[Shannon Dawson]

Ugh.

[Matt Jones]

I have had no luck lately.

Wait.

Lady Luck Ritzki.

I got you.

I've had so much luck on spinquest.com they have all of my favorite games, slot games, live blackjack craps and bubble craps. You can even get a 30 coin pack for just 10 bucks. 10 bucks for 30.

I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now.

Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[iHeart Radio Announcer]

These days it's getting harder and harder to trust what you're seeing. Who made it? Is it real? But with iHeart, everything you hear is guaranteed human. That's why 78% of listeners trust their favorite radio host's product recommendations. And if you own or manage a business here or need to drive sales, that trust goes a long way in creating your Future customers. Make iHeartMedia a part of your 2026 plan today. Call 844-844-IHeart. Again, that's 844-844 iHeart.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at UK Credit Union. You know they just for some there for all y', all, Kentucky minimum thousand dollars. Open up a high yield savings account up to 4.00 y APY today. Come check it out. UK Credit Union. There's one all around. Probably one near you. One person writes Matt, my friend and I had an argument yesterday. We live in Montgomery county and the argument was about whether or not you had taken sides in the debate about the landfill. My buddy said it was rude of you to take sides on a local issue. And I said Matt had no idea what what the issue was and he said you were not stupid enough to not know. So that made me taking up for you but arguing that you were stupid.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean you said on the show you didn't process where you were going.

[Matt Jones]

So yeah, I mean I, I guess was it nice of you to take up for me and you were stupid. Like I, I listen the people there were great and I actually really enjoyed Going. And I, I had no idea. I mean, I have no, I still don't have any idea what the actual. I mean, we weren't, we were there because it's a business. I mean, you know, we're here at UK Credit Union. I don't know if they're involved in a dispute on anything. If. So, you know, I'm not taking aside in that either, but. But yeah, thank you for taking up for me and saying that I was stupid. I appreciate it.

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, I think, yeah, they just want to expand it. That's the argument.

[Matt Jones]

But apparently Facebook. Somebody sent me to the Mount Sterling City Facebook page and we were quite the topic yesterday. But Shannon, Shannon is taking a position.

[Shannon Dawson]

Come at me, bro. I'll talk some trash with you. That's right. I get it.

[iHeart Radio Announcer]

Look at you.

[Matt Jones]

Great pun. One person, one person writes. Matt, I really enjoyed your interview with Mark Pope. The thing that disappointed me, though, the only thing you didn't ask that I would have is when Mark got here, he said we would play marquee games and fun tournaments like the Maui Invitational, and it seems like we're doing none of those. I wish that he would explain why. That's a fair question. I hadn't really, I didn't really think about it. You know, we're not playing every program except us and Duke is now playing in all these things. Duke's doing that deal with Amazon. So we're still kind of left with, well, what are we going to do? Yeah, I, I understand the Maui Invitationals die. Yeah, Maui Invitational is basically unfortunately dead. So really the players era thing is the big thing and most the big programs are doing it except us and Duke. But you can understand with Duke, with the Amazon deal. So, Drew, I do kind of wonder, okay, what's our thing going to be if Duke's doing the Amazon thing and everybody else is doing the players era, what are we doing?

[Drew Franklin]

Old takes exposed. Could use a lot of his comments about camps and foreign trips and getting back into Maui and having all these fun events because it hasn't quite panned out so far. But as he said, the landscapes changed a lot and things are so different now and they're trying their best and he's still learning on the fly. But it is a little, little disappointing that they're not doing some of the things that we expected.

[Matt Jones]

You know, Arkansas announced their Cal playing Michigan State on Thanksgiving. I mean, listen, far be it for me to give Cal credit, but I actually think that's a brilliant thing to do. I mean, the last two years Arkansas's played on Thanksgiving two years ago. They played, I think Illinois and it was the second most watched game of the regular season. Last year they played Duke and it was the most watched game of the regular season. It's brilliant because you get the NFL audience when it ends. So the way it'll work is the lines play the Bears. That's going to be a big game, right? Lions and Bears as soon as it's over Arkansas, Michigan State. Now the Cowboys are playing the Giants at the same time. Obviously, most people will watch that, but a lot of people will just keep it on their channel. And a lot of people. And they'll get 5 or 6 million people just like they did the Illinois year. I think last year they got like 8 million Arkansas. That's a smart thing to do. And then if it. Shannon, if the Cowboys Giants game becomes a route, people flip it over to the. So it's. It's a brilliant thing.

[Shannon Dawson]

You get that spillover audience. I wonder what our thing would be. I mean, maybe if this West Virginia game on Black Friday, if that. I mean, it's.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, that. That I'm glad we're doing it. But that's not. Not if you want to be Kentucky. You got to do some kind of splash. The Duke Amazon deal is a splash. Duke is going to be playing on a platform that's going to be all over the world.

[Shannon Dawson]

All over the world.

[Matt Jones]

No other college basketball team is on a platform that plays all over the world. So maybe we can do something with Netflix. I don't know. But we. I do think we need to find whatever our thing is.

[Drew Franklin]

I have a different Cal take. I think he just doesn't want to spend the holiday in Fayetteville because he hated holiday games. And Lexington. There were times skip press conferences on Thanksgiving to get home. There was one time, I think you said, I have to get to my car. And we're like, what does that even mean?

[Shannon Dawson]

Cars waiting on me.

[Drew Franklin]

Now suddenly he's like, wants to be out playing on holidays. I think he just doesn't want to be in Arkansas.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, that may be a fair point as well. Who's next, Rick? Johnny is up next. Johnny, Go ahead, Johnny. Hey, fellas.

[Shannon Dawson]

Hey.

[Matt Jones]

If we'll sign turns this program around here in Lexington and we become national contenders. Are we going to be able to

[Tab Ramos]

keep him here in Lexington, Kentucky?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So that was a conversation yesterday. I think Nick Roush said something like, I hope in five years we're not going to be able to keep Will Stein. That's how Much success he had. I will say, Shannon, in today's college football, I think it's different. I think you can keep everybody. You know, Indiana just won the national championship. That's changed everything. Indiana winning the national championship means anybody can win the national championship championship. If they. They're the worst program in the country in a power four. They want it. If they can win it, anybody can win it. And Indiana kept their coach after they won. And I appreciate the call. I don't see any reason, Shannon, that if we had a lot of success here, you couldn't keep him here.

[Shannon Dawson]

That's the best problem to have. Right. Your guys went in so much that we can't keep them here. I think Will Stein loves Kentucky, but

[Matt Jones]

I don't think that's true. It's anymore. I think you can keep them.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. But I'm saying that's a great problem to have, though, if. If everybody wants your guy. But I think that Will Stein, I would like to think that he loves Kentucky so much that he would stick around here. It's a great gig. We talked about the expectation level. What was the publication that said it's the best job in the SEC because the expectation level was below the standard line. But you. Everybody's happy.

[Matt Jones]

Put yourself in the mindset, Drew, of a guy that's just won a national championship here. I mean, think of in basketball, Scott Drake Drew throughout our lives, the coach of Baylor would have left for Kentucky everywhere. But then Scott Drew wins the national championship at Baylor and he's kind of like, well, I wanted a Baylor. Why do I need to go to Kentucky? I think that could easily be true here, too.

[Drew Franklin]

We did creep him out at that Mexican restaurant that day when he was.

[Shannon Dawson]

That was a little weird.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. His wife didn't have the best trip here, I think, when she visited.

[Drew Franklin]

But Will specifically being from here, you know, just down the road and Louis dad playing here, I think that'd carry a lot of weights specifically with him. But also, if you move, you got to think about the new fan base. Won't have that built up equity and could be quick to fire you like Kaylin the Boar. I mean, Alabama might throw him aside soon if this season doesn't go well. When he had a great gig before that. If you want to go to these other places where you haven't won yet and they're places with high expectations, if it doesn't work right away, they could be quick to fire you.

[Matt Jones]

I'm not as that used to be something I would be worried about. It's actually not something I'm worried about now. Who's next? Isaiah's next. Isaiah. Go ahead, Isaiah.

[Drew Franklin]

Hey, I also have a question about Mark Pope. I thought he did really well in the interview. It seemed like he was a really like laid back and everything. But if he, if he told y' all he knew about Nicola and like why the media was saying that we're in front running for him or top three or whatever, why didn't he come out and if that in the butt, is it a recruiting issue if he come out and said we don't? I think he should have kind of came out.

[Matt Jones]

He's not allowed, he's not allowed to make a statement about a recruit, even if it's a statement of we're not getting them. Okay. In my opinion, and I might have said this in the private conversation, in my opinion, if the media is out saying you're about to get somebody and you're not, you should let the media privately know so that people don't get their hopes, hopes up. I'm a big believer in that. Controlling expectations to me is a huge thing coaches need to do. And I said that to him and you know, we'll see what happens over time. We'll take a break, come back our number two. This is Kentucky Sports Radio.

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