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J Batt

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MSU names Palumbo interim athletic director amid leadership transition
sports11 days ago

MSU names Palumbo interim athletic director amid leadership transition

Michigan State has named Jon Palumbo as interim athletic director, effective immediately, to replace J Batt who is departing for Kentucky. Palumbo, MSU’s executive deputy athletic director/COO and head of Spartan Ventures, previously led MSU athletics after arriving from Georgia Tech and has prior AD experience at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Batt’s exit comes with a $3.95 million buyout from Kentucky as MSU searches for a permanent replacement.

UK Names J Batt as New Athletics Director, Set to Start July 28
sports12 days ago

UK Names J Batt as New Athletics Director, Set to Start July 28

UK announced that J Batt will become the university’s athletic director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC, with a July 28 start date to replace Mitch Barnhart, who retires June 30 and will receive over $3 million in severance; Batt’s transition includes a Michigan State buyout totaling about $3.95 million through July 1, 2027, a figure affected by a previously discussed MSU–Clemson move that ultimately did not occur.

Why J Batt Goes By a Single Letter: A Third-Grade Decision
sports1 month ago

Why J Batt Goes By a Single Letter: A Third-Grade Decision

J Batt explains that his nickname 'J' started in third grade to avoid confusion with two other Jasons, a moniker he kept through college at UNC where he was a goalkeeper on the 2001 national championship team, and into his professional career. He’s set to begin his Kentucky athletics leadership role on July 1 and says he plans to be highly visible and engage with fans across the Big Blue Nation.

UK Taps J Batt as AD, Promises Dual-Sport Excellence and Revenue Growth
sports1 month ago

UK Taps J Batt as AD, Promises Dual-Sport Excellence and Revenue Growth

Kentucky announced J Batt as its new athletic director and CEO of Champions Blue, signaling a revenue-forward, fan-inclusive plan to lead UK Athletics with dual-sport excellence in basketball and football. Batt stressed accelerating changes in college athletics, improving gameday experiences, and sustaining UK’s “destination” status, while summer basketball practice began with a few standouts noted and Kam Williams sidelined by a foot injury. Kentucky also announced seven non-conference home games for 2026-27 and began pursuing 2028 recruits, including Erick Dampier Jr. In other sports updates, a World Cup draw saw Cape Verde upset Spain 0-0, and Pardon My Take is set to host KSR today.

UK's New AD J Batt Promises Championship-Driven Growth and Fan Engagement
sports1 month ago

UK's New AD J Batt Promises Championship-Driven Growth and Fan Engagement

Kentucky’s new athletic director J Batt sits down with Matt Jones for a Zoom interview to outline why UK is a destination job, his focus on boosting revenue through Champions Blue and other streams, and the plan to navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics. Batt emphasizes Kentucky’s structure, scale, and passionate fan base as assets that can be leveraged to fund basketball and football simultaneously, while stressing the need for every fan to contribute in some way and pledging a long-term commitment to the program and its championship standard.

UK taps J Batt to lead Wildcats Athletics and Champions Blue
sports1 month ago

UK taps J Batt to lead Wildcats Athletics and Champions Blue

University of Kentucky named J Batt as its next athletics director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC, succeeding Mitch Barnhart who retires after 24 years. Batt arrives from Michigan State, where he helped secure more than $400 million in gifts—the largest in college athletics history—and launched Spartan Ventures, after previously leading Georgia Tech and Alabama athletic programs. UK President Eli Capilouto praised his fundraising prowess and strategic vision as the program navigates ongoing changes in college athletics, with Batt pledging to focus on championships, student‑athlete development, and life preparation as he begins this summer.

Kentucky Names J Batt as AD Amid MSU Leadership Shake-Up
sports1 month ago

Kentucky Names J Batt as AD Amid MSU Leadership Shake-Up

Kentucky hired J Batt as its athletic director and CEO of Champions Blue, moving from Michigan State after just over a year; MSU is searching for a new leader as President Kevin Guskiewicz heads to Clemson, and Batt's MSU contract included a buyout trigger tied to that departure. Separately, MSU announced a 10-year jersey-patch deal with MSUFCU to boost revenue and fund student-athlete programming.

UK taps J Batt to lead athletics and Champions Blue
sports1 month ago

UK taps J Batt to lead athletics and Champions Blue

The University of Kentucky named J Batt the next Athletics Director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC, tapping a fundraising-driven leader with previous posts at Michigan State, Georgia Tech, and Alabama. Batt will officially join UK later this summer to succeed retiring Mitch Barnhart and help sustain the program’s championship standard in the evolving landscape of college sports.

Kentucky hires MSU's J Batt to lead its athletic department
sports1 month ago

Kentucky hires MSU's J Batt to lead its athletic department

Kentucky is set to hire Michigan State athletic director J Batt to replace retiring Mitch Barnhart; Batt is a premier fundraiser who previously led Alabama's revenue operations and a $600 million capital campaign, helped MSU grow its athletic revenue, and is credited with initiatives like Spartan Ventures and hiring Pat Fitzgerald as Spartans' head football coach, with Kentucky hoping his track record will bolster revenue and facilities to support its rosters and programs.

Kentucky narrows AD hunt to Michigan State's J Batt
sports1 month ago

Kentucky narrows AD hunt to Michigan State's J Batt

Kentucky appears close to naming its next athletic director, with Michigan State’s J Batt emerging as the top candidate per Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger. Batt, a veteran administrator with SEC and power-conference experience (including roles at Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Michigan State), would bring a track record of leading searches and program operations as UK seeks to replace Mitch Barnhart.