MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz described the appointment as “an exciting time for MSU Athletics” in a press release sent Friday morning.  

The hire is effective immediately pending Batt's departure. Palumbo joined MSU in July 2025 after following Batt from Georgia Tech University.  

“I’m honored to serve the university in this interim role, and I am grateful to President Guskiewicz for placing his trust and belief in me,” Palumbo said in a press release. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches and staff to build on the positive momentum we have established and continue to move MSU Athletics forward.”

Palumbo currently serves as the Executive Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at MSU Athletics, where he serves as the primary sports administrator for football. The new interim athletic director assisted in the hiring process for football head coach Pat Fitzgerald. 

"Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director," Guskiewicz said. "This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes."

Guskiewicz spearheaded Spartan Ventures, where Palumbo serves as CEO, to bring in money for name, image and likeness for student-athletes, revamp infrastructure and give MSU Athletics a monetary advantage over other institutions. The entity launched on July 1 after the Board of Trustees approved the creation of the non-profit in late 2025, but not much has been made public. 

In the past, Palumbo held the positions of vice president and interim director of athletics at Georgia Tech University and director of athletics at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

The announcement comes one day after Batt announced his end date at MSU.

Batt was dually hired as Kentucky's athletic director and CEO of its for-profit LLC, Champions Blue, on June 15. Kentucky announced yesterday that it will pay MSU $3.95 million as part of Batt's buyout. Batt's contract initially listed his buyout as $5 million, but Guskiewicz's proposed departure to Clemson University in late May triggered a clause that slashed Batt's buyout in half.

Palumbo will hold the position of interim athletic director until a permanent candidate has been named.

"Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to evaluating options, both internal and external, for a candidate to permanently fill the AD position,” Guskiewicz said.