Thread by @BBNTonight

It's @UKFootball media day! Follow along all day for updates... Starting with this thread from AD Mitch Barnhart's press conference 🧵

As Barnhart enters his 24th season with the Wildcats, he opens today's press conference by acknowledging several Kentucky media members who have recently retired or passed away, as well as UK Assistant AD for Athletics comm/PR, Tony Neely, who's been honored in his profession

Reiterates everyone is invited to fan day tomorrow, because "we love the face-to-face" opportunity of an open practice for fans with this year's players and coaches.

Gates open at 10. Practice begins at 11.

Barnhart says while last year did not meet expectations, he's "confident this team and our coaching staff is ready to go" ahead of a fresh season

Adds he went to yesterday's practice and it was "spirited." Also notes 50 new faces on the team, but says that's on par with this era

"methods are many; principles are few" -- rings on fingers and diplomas in hands still remains + will remain the core of UK Athletics

$5 million in additional scholarships will be available with approx. 80 more scholarship athletes on campus this season. Will affect roster sizes as the House settlement and its impacts continue to take shape

Barnhart also praises UKVB head coach Craig Skinner ahead of what is shaping up to be another stellar season for those Cats. The SEC VB Tournament returns for the first time in Barnhart's 24-year tenure.

All men's & women's home soccer games will be free this fall #BBN

"We've been anticipating" the changes that continue in college sports, Barnhart says. "Many universities are looking for answers... We've got a lot on our plate with the changes on July 1."

Thanks the University for "partner equity" re: rev. share, loan, Champions Blue LLC

That ends opening statement. Questions beginning now

On rev. share numbers from sport to sport:

"The speculation is wonderful. Not only do the fans want to know, but our opponents want to know. We'll keep it fluid with us and keep it in our framework. Our coaches are pleased with where we are and what we're doing.

Part 2: It's season-to-season and sport-to-sport... It may change by the end of the season or by the end of the year. We want to be really thoughtful in how we do that, and we think the best advantage to help our coaches in the best way possible is to be nimble..."

Part 3: Barnhart finishes by saying.. as long as the coaches are happy, "We're happy keeping it [the financial split] inside our family"

Reiterates the 20.5 million $ figure offsets scholarship numbers, which are approx. 2.5 million. Barnhart says the number they're working with is actually about $18 mil

Uses word "strategic" in terms of managing money. Agrees it is "use it or lose it" - can't roll $ to next year

"Mark [Stoops] is really, really good at fighting through adversity," Barnhart says in terms of what a successful football season looks like this year. "Love the enthusiasm of our team."

Says team is "fully engaged... They seem locked in. Gotta do it on the field"

Barnhart says UK has included six programs in the revenue sharing model so far: football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball

"That doesn't mean in the future" other teams won't be included. If one team needs more/less, UK Athletics want to be able to change and adjust fluidly.

"We're a month in. Anyone who sits in front of a group and says I've got all the answers after 4 weeks, good for you."

"Hopefully the waters will smooth a little bit," but Barnhart says right now, they expect it to be "clunky" as everyone maneuvers through the weeds of a "decade worth of change" that's come their way in a matter of days/weeks/months

"Gently walk through this thing and let it smooth itself out... We've got a lot of people trying hard" to put UK in the best position possible

Barnhart on football scheduling and the 8 vs. 9 SEC game debate:

"There's no question where I stand - 8 is better for Kentucky... If we go to 9, every other year we have 5 conference games on the road.. that's where we've got to be really thoughtful"

Barnhart says last year, UK had 675 student athletes. Now, that number is 525-530: "That breaks my heart"

Mentions not all of those athletes would go to the NFL/WNBA/etc., but they're losing the collegiate athletic experience: "That disappoints me."

CONT.: Despite that disappointment, his goal is: "I want to preserve the 23 sports and the 500 [student athletes] we still have in our programs"

"We had 400 events on this campus last year... My staff worked relentlessly. It's important for the people we put the events on for, but it's also important for the community... Hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores"

Mentions "rising tides" around Bluegrass: Keeneland, the Bourbon trail. There's a reason people come. It's a cool deal, and we're thankful to be part of that. It's important to be successful and we want to do that. It's our responsibility, and we do feel that."

Barnhart says while baseball roster numbers are down, the scholarship numbers are actually up. All sports, including football, can now award "partial" scholarships to players to alleviate some financial burden from families.

"It's a puzzle we're putting together"

Barnhart continues to praise his staff: compliance, Kfund, events, marketing, facilities, etc. for their hard work during this era, while they are constantly looking for new ways to raise revenue while expenses continue to rise

Says most schools make money from "5 buckets": tickets, fundraising, concessions, contracts (Nike, Gatorade, JMI) and conference revenue sharing.

"How can you add 3-4 more buckets? Let's put 2-3 more buckets out there and fill those up... without straining [the fans]"

That's it for AD Barnhart. Kentucky football coordinators coming up next