Michigan State University Athletics Director J Batt will join the University of Kentucky as athletic director, just over a year after Batt assumed the same position at MSU.
Since his hiring by outgoing president Kevin Guskiewicz in June of 2025, Batt's fundraising abilities have made him a shiny target for Kentucky.
“Across these institutions, J has distinguished himself as a record-breaker in fundraising and as a leader who strategically invests in facilities to maximize resources and revenue,” UK President Eli Capilouto said today in a message to the UK campus. “As important, he has remained focused on ensuring student-athletes compete at the highest levels while being prepared for lives of meaning and purpose.”
In a press release, Guskiewicz said he will be working to name an interim for the position in "coming days".
Batt will not just assume the position of AD, but also the CEO of the school's for-profit LLC, Champions Blue. Batt is expected to start at Kentucky later this summer, according to a UK press release.
Batt has been instrumental in creating a similar program at MSU — Spartan Media Ventures. Approved by MSU's Board of Trustees in December, Spartan Media Ventures is expected to launch July 1.
Both Champions Blue and Spartan Media Ventures were created in response to the rapidly changing economics of college athletics.
"Despite this period of ongoing change, we remain in the opportunity business — creating opportunities for our student-athletes to compete and win championships, earn degrees and prepare for life after sport," Batt said in a UK press release. "We are excited to work with an outstanding staff and coaches on behalf of a University to deliver for the Big Blue Nation and to serve this special community that represents the entire Commonwealth.”
During Batt's tenure as athletics director at MSU, he helped lock down Greg and Dawn Williams' $401 million donation, $390 million of which was directed to MSU athletics.
Guskiewicz recruited Batt from the ACC in 2025, and the two were in lockstep in all fundraising efforts for the athletics department. The two met at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where Guskiewicz led concussion research while Batt was a graduate assistant on the university's soccer team. Batt helped the team win a national championship as a goalkeeper in 2001.
Two weeks ago, Guskiewicz announced his departure for Clemson University, triggering a clause in Batt’s contract that slashed his $5 million buyout in half. With Kentucky hiring Batt as athletic director, the university would have to pay MSU $2.5 million. Batt’s current yearly base pay at MSU is $1.85 million with $100,000 annual raises.
Kentucky's hiring of Batt also marks his return to the South, where he worked in the SEC as a Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Alabama from 2017 to 2022.
MSU has not yet named an interim athletic director. Batt's replacement would be the fourth athletic director, including interims, to assume the position at MSU since 2021.
“I appreciate the energy and innovation that J Batt brought to Spartan Athletics over this past year," Guskiewicz said. "He has set our athletics department on a positive path, one that our outstanding and dedicated team will continue driving forward. During his tenure, he helped position our athletics program for success in a rapidly changing collegiate landscape while advancing our commitment to competitive excellence, academic achievement, and the student-athlete experience. Amy and I both wish J, Leah and their family happiness and success in Kentucky."
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
