Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State athletic director J Batt is leaving East Lansing after just over a year to become the athletic director at Kentucky, the school announced Monday, June 15. Batt accepted a six-year contract with the Wildcats and will also serve as CEO of Champions Blue, Kentucky’s for-profit NIL arm. The move comes at a pivotal time for both programs, as college athletics continues to evolve rapidly.
Batt’s departure follows the recent exit of Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz, who accepted the same position at Clemson in May. The two shared a longstanding relationship dating back to their time at North Carolina, and Guskiewicz played a key role in hiring Batt in June 2025. With Guskiewicz leaving East Lansing, a provision in Batt’s contract reduced his buyout, making the transition to Kentucky more feasible.
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June 15, 2026 ~ Michigan State University is looking for a new AD, again. Steve Courtney joins Kevin after the announcement that J Batt is leaving for Kentucky.
(CONTINUED) At Michigan State, Batt was working under a six-year, $12.6 million contract that included a significant buyout clause. That figure was cut in half, from $5 million to approximately $2.5 million, once Guskiewicz was no longer president. The reduced buyout lowered the barrier for Kentucky to secure Batt, highlighting how administrative changes can directly impact athletic department leadership.
Batt’s exit leaves Michigan State searching for both a new president and athletic director, continuing a period of instability at the top of the university. For Kentucky, the hiring reflects a commitment to strengthening its athletic department with a leader experienced in fundraising and navigating the name, image and likeness landscape. Meanwhile, Michigan State faces another reset as it works to reestablish continuity across its leadership structure.
