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Matt Jones announces return to radio, 5-year deal

Kentucky Senate GOP Complaint
Posted at 6:23 AM, Nov 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-26 06:23:54-05

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — His political ambitions sidelined, at least for the moment, former "Hey Kentucky!" host Matt Jones announced his pending return to his Kentucky Sports Radio gig.

In a tweet sent Monday night, Jones said he had signed a new five-year deal with iHeart Media to resume his hosting duties on the popular sports talk show beginning Dec. 26.

"I am very happy to continue the show as we enter our 10th year on the air," he said.

On Nov. 15, Jones announced that he was taking a pass on seeking the Democratic nomination for a 2020 U.S. Senate run.

"it's time to decide. Not because I'm certain, but because it's time to decide," Jones said. "Ultimately for me personally, this isn't the time."

The decision ended a long consideration for Jones, one that ended up disrupting his broadcast career.

For more than a year Jones openly talked of seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell next November.

Currently the Democratic field is dominated by Amy McGrath, the former fighter pilot and retired Marine lieutenant colonel.

But Jones' political and broadcast interests collided. In August, Jones announced he was writing a book that takes aim at McConnell, titled "Mitch, Please!"

Shortly after, WLEX-TV parted ways with Jones, who then was the host of "Hey Kentucky!" In early November, Jones lost his KSR hosting gig after a complaint from Kentucky Republicans led iHeart Media to ask Jones to temporarily step away.