Empty seats on both sides of me as I hear the president insist that the American Airlines Center is full and there are thousands of people outside. Nothing new to say, just... wow, 11 years of this, huh
John Clay
@johnclayiv.bsky.social
Retired sports columnist at Kentucky.com.
There's not much more I could say about Kenny Klein that hasn't already been said by his thousands of friends and colleagues, except something I should have said more often. Thank you Kenny for your countless acts of kindness and friendship. May you rest in peace.
NEW: Any on-field performance bonuses were deleted from Mitch Barnhart's contract in 2021, but they're back for J Batt. And he can make even more money based on how much he raises for the department. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Here is what UK will pay new athletics director J Batt, what bonuses he can earn
Kentucky had to spend big to convince new athletics director J Batt to leave Michigan State after just one year.
kentucky.com
Kentucky had to spend big to convince new athletics director J Batt to leave Michigan State after just one year.
Here is what UK will pay new athletics director J Batt, what bonuses he can earn
Kentucky had to spend big to convince new athletics director J Batt to leave Michigan State after just one year.
bit.ly
Nick Mingione is managing the biggest game of Kentucky’s baseball season, but he has to take timeout to talk to the ESPN2 announcers WHILE the game is going on. Why?
History is made in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Cherie DeVaux is the first woman to train a Derby winner. Golden Tempo wins the Run for the Roses: 🔽 www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux, make history with 2026 Kentucky Derby win
Golden Tempo captures the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville, and Cherie DeVaux becomes the first female trainer to win the race.
kentucky.com
Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby by a neck over Renegade. Where does this rank among the closest finishes in race history?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby was decided by a neck. How common is this?
Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby by a neck over Renegade. Where does this rank among the closest finishes in race history?
bit.ly
Lots of sponsors, lots of music, and lots of alcohol were the characteristics of the infield at the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
For a first-timer, the Kentucky Derby infield is more sponsored chaos than horse race
Lots of sponsors, lots of music, and lots of alcohol were the characteristics of the infield at the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
bit.ly
The Watsons were dairy farmers for generations, the rhythms of their lives defined by their cows. Until this spring. “My whole life, people have kept telling me it’ll get better. The truth is it never does.”
The Last Days of Butter Ridge
The Watsons were dairy farmers for generations, the rhythms of their lives defined by their cows. Until this spring.
nyti.ms
“I could make more by picking cans up off the road. I’m done.” The Watsons were dairy farmers for generations, the rhythms of their lives defined by their cows. Until this spring, when they sold their last herd.
The Last Days of Butter Ridge
The Watsons were dairy farmers for generations, the rhythms of their lives defined by their cows. Until this spring.
nyti.ms
Congrats to ex-UK OL Jager Burton, taken in the 5th round of the NFL Draft by Green Bay.
It's possible Mark Pope doesn't need a big star this offseason to put a national contender on the court in 2026-27, though it's clear he's still trying to land at least one. The options are dwindling, but they're not gone yet. Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky could still land a big name this offseason. These are the top options
Mark Pope has a few spots to fill on his 2026-27 UK basketball roster, and there are some big names that could still be realistic options.
kentucky.com
After growing criticism, Mitch Barnhart steps away from proposed job at UK: ⬇️ www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
After growing criticism, Mitch Barnhart steps away from proposed job at UK
Gov. Andy Beshear had joined a chorus of critics concerned about paying Barnhart nearly $1 million for the new role.
kentucky.com
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has decided not to take a $950,000 a year job that would begin after his June 30 retirement, UK President Eli Capilouto announced on Thursday. @mckennahorsley.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/23/r...
Retiring AD Mitch Barnhart steps away from lucrative UK post after governor complains • Kentucky Lantern
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has decided not to take a $950,000 a year job that would begin after his June 30 retirement, UK President Eli Capilouto announced on Thursday.
kentuckylantern.com
SEN. @ossoff.senate.gov : “The faithless president depicts himself as Christ while he plunges the nation into wars of choice… Remember — While you pay more for everything, the First Family’s wealth is growing by billions. Because they’re crooks, and everybody knows it.”
This man is doing the most to fight fascism in America today. www.startribune.com/bruce-spring...
Review: Bruce Springsteen roars for democracy in powerful Minneapolis concert
The Boss saluted the strength and hope generated by Minnesotans this winter.
startribune.com
Mark Pope has a lot to do over the next few weeks. One of the biggest assignments for the Kentucky basketball coach will be keeping a couple of Cats home in Lexington, and the reasons go beyond their basketball skill. Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
One of Mark Pope’s major offseason assignments goes beyond the basketball court
Kentucky coach Mark Pope needs roster continuity for next season. He also needs talented leaders on the court.
kentucky.com
Mark Pope is making a late move with the 2026 recruiting class. On Wednesday, the Wildcats hosted four-star point guard Mason Williams for a recruiting visit. And Williams has plenty of basketball pedigree to his name: ⬇️ www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
The son of a former NBA All-Star took a recruiting visit to UK basketball
A four-star point guard with family ties to the SEC took a recruiting visit to Mark Pope’s Kentucky program.
kentucky.com
She also had a long career at the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and was a press secretary for Mayor Pam Miller.
Dottie Bean, former editor and reporter at Lexington Herald-Leader, has died
She also had a long career at the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and was a press secretary for Mayor Pam Miller.
bit.ly
This Kentucky basketball season came to a fitting end. The Wildcats got everyone excited at the start and persevered along the way, but then it all came crashing down. A story from St. Louis on a season that didn't go the way anyone expected: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
A ‘catastrophe’ for the Cats. And a fitting end to this UK basketball season
Kentucky’s players reflect after a disappointing season ends with an NCAA Tournament loss to Iowa State.
kentucky.com
‘He doesn’t want to go home’: How Otega Oweh helped keep Kentucky’s season alive Inside the shot that saved Kentucky’s season, and the performance from Otega Oweh that has these Wildcats dancing for another day. Read more in the full story: bit.ly/4sYGoNE
"When the players are the ones leading the stuff, that’s when you know you’re in a good spot." Malachi Moreno has been one of the bright spots of this Kentucky basketball season. Here's an inside look at how he developed into a potential NBA pick in Year 1 at UK: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
‘We got us a gem’: An inside look at Malachi Moreno’s development at Kentucky
Malachi Moreno has been a bright spot during this Kentucky basketball season. Here’s the work he’s put in behind the scenes.
kentucky.com
Kentucky will play Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Here's more on the Wildcats' draw: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky learns its NCAA Tournament draw. Here’s who and where the Cats will play
The Kentucky Wildcats will be a 7 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with their first game set for Friday.
kentucky.com
The Kentucky basketball team spent Selection Sunday together at Mark Pope's house. No fans, no media. The last time we talked to these Wildcats, the message was clear: "We know what’s coming our way. And in March, anything is possible." A story on what's next: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
‘Anything is possible’: This Kentucky team has a hard road in the NCAA Tournament
Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats now have their NCAA Tournament path. They watched the Selection Sunday show at the coach’s house.
kentucky.com
A documentary crew has been following the Kentucky basketball team all season. CBS Sports officials tell us why they picked the Wildcats.
Why CBS picked this Kentucky basketball team for a Final Four weekend documentary
A documentary crew has been following the Kentucky basketball team all season. CBS Sports officials tell us why they picked the Wildcats.
bit.ly
Jaland Lowe's first Kentucky basketball season hasn't gone to script. There were injuries, then surgery and only 9 games played. For the first time in months, Lowe talks about what he's been up to, including comments regarding his future at UK: ⬇️ www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
What’s Jaland Lowe been up to? Catching up with Kentucky’s injured point guard
Jaland Lowe has been out injured for UK basketball since January. At the SEC Tournament, Lowe spoke about what his first Kentucky season has been like.
kentucky.com
My column: "We've got to be the tough guys." Cats explain what it will take to upset the Gators www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
‘We’ve got to be the tough guys.’ Cats explain what it will take to upset Gators
Kentucky basketball guts out a SEC Tournament win over Missouri and Wildcats not have a “free shot” at top-seeded Florida.
kentucky.com
This Kentucky basketball team is the subject of a season-long documentary that will air on CBS on Final Four Saturday. Why the Wildcats? I talked to the producer of the doc and the CBS VP for programming to get a better idea of why UK was picked for this project: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Why CBS picked this Kentucky basketball team for a Final Four weekend documentary
A documentary crew has been following the Kentucky basketball team all season. CBS Sports officials tell us why they picked the Wildcats.
kentucky.com
Brandon Garrison delivered for Kentucky today in Nashville. After the game, his teammates made it clear that they've seen the criticism that comes Garrison's way. And they stuck up for a player that they've come to love. "The fans don’t see BG every day." Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
‘The fans don’t see BG every day’: Kentucky players celebrate Garrison’s big game
Brandon Garrison had his best game of the season in Kentucky’s win over LSU in the SEC Tournament opener. His teammates loved it.
kentucky.com