Michigan State can officially start its search for a new athletic director.
Kentucky Athletics announced on Monday, June 15 that J Batt has been hired as the school’s athletic director and as the CEO of Champions Blue, its for-profit NIL arm.
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“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 in a statement Monday. “As important, he has remained focused on ensuring student-athletes compete at the highest levels while being prepared for lives of meaning and purpose.”
With its athletic director preparing to leave, Michigan State announced on Monday morning it will wear corporate jersey patches on all of its teams uniforms this fall.
The school on Monday, June 15, announced a 10-year partnership with MSUFCU (Michigan State University Federal Credit Union) that also will placed on Spartan football helmets. The deal also will have athletes wearing the company’s logo on practice attire.
An hour later, Kentucky announced it had hired Batt as its new is new athletic director, with Batt leaving MSU after a little more than a year. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Batt will receive a six-year contract to become the Wildcats’ athletic director.
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On the jersey patch front, Jon Palumbo, executive deputy athletic director/chief operating officer and Spartan Ventures CEO, in a statement called MSUFCU “a longtime trusted partner” of MSU’s athletic department. That includes the banking group’s sponsorship of the club level seating at Spartan Stadium and the “Women of Sparta” sponsorship of women’s athletic programs. According to a release, as part of this new agreement, MSUFCU also will work to develop financial education programming for Spartan student-athletes.
“This patch is a symbol of our rooted history and aligned strategic vision,” Palumbo said. “It also amplifies the continued momentum of our department in the new landscape of college athletics.”
The school announced an 11 a.m. news conference to discuss the partnership. However, missing from the release are any quotes from or mention of Batt or outgoing MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz.
It is unlikely Batt will be at the news conference at Spartan Stadium on Monday morning after his new job was announced. Guskiewicz announced in late May he is leaving MSU to take the president position at Clemson, but a timeline for his departure or start date as his new job has not yet been determined.
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MSUFCU also was a sponsor of the 46th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon in October.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: J Batt officially leaving Michigan State to become Kentucky’s AD
