Kentucky Golden Retriever Could Become Next Air Bud

The golden retriever who stole passes and hearts across America is making a comeback. One pretty pooch from Kentucky could become the next iconic Air Bud.

Nearly 30 years after its original release, Disney is rebooting the franchise with Air Bud Returns in the summer of 2026. The folks over at the Mouse House sifted through thousands of applicants and have narrowed it down to four golden retrievers: Charlie, Leo, Summer, and Willard.

The next Air Bud could be Willard from Northern Kentucky. The four-year-old pooch is preparing for Air Bud Returns auditions, and he certainly looks the part.

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Air Bud found his calling on the basketball court after abandoning a drunk clown back in 1997. Buddy could do so much more than hoop. He played football, soccer, baseball, and volleyball. If Willard gets the role, you better believe we’ll be rocking blue and yellow jerseys across Kentucky when Air Bud Returns hits theaters next summer.

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Kentucky Already has a Golden Retriever at Quarterback

Kentucky is rolling out a redshirt freshman for his first SEC start in a hostile environment at South Carolina. The good news? Cutter Boley has that dog in him.

The quarterback’s roommates, Willie Rodriguez and Josh Kattus, often describe Boley as a golden retriever. “It’s just how his personality is. He’s super chill and he’s definitely a happy dude,” said Rodriguez.

Boley doesn’t take any offense to it. “I think the hair kind of pushes that too. I’ve got the hair of a golden retriever,” said Boley. “I need to get it cut, if anyone knows a good barber around here.”