LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDRB) – J Batt will officially begin his tenure as the University of Kentucky’s athletics director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC July 28, university officials announced Thursday.
Batt, who was hired away from Michigan State in June, said he believes Kentucky is well-positioned to succeed as college athletics continues to evolve.
"From my first discussions with President (Eli) Capilouto and others at UK, I was certain that this is the absolute right opportunity for us," Batt said in a statement. "The values and goals of UK Athletics align closely with my own, and this department is well positioned for continued success in the shifting college athletics landscape."
Batt spent the past year as vice president and athletics director at Michigan State after previously serving as athletics director at Georgia Tech. Before that, he held several leadership positions in the athletics department at Alabama, including executive deputy director of athletics.
According to UK, Batt helped Michigan State secure a more than $400 million commitment for athletics and launched Spartan Ventures, a nonprofit organization designed to generate new revenue streams and business partnerships. The university also credited him with helping advance development of a commercial district surrounding Spartan Stadium.
Kentucky will pay Michigan State $3.95 million under the terms of Batt’s contract, with payments running through July 1, 2027.
The university said the transition process will continue before Batt officially begins work in Lexington later this month.
"As we prepare to begin another academic and athletic year in Lexington, we will work to continue to deliver results at the highest levels," Batt said. "We will not shy away from lofty standards of excellence — not only in competition but in how we support our student-athlete experience, how we engage our fanbase and how we conduct our operations."
One Kentucky coach who welcomed Batt’s arrival was new football coach Will Stein, who said Wednesday at the ISCO Championships that him and Batt have had "great interaction."
"J has been great," Stein said. "... I think he's a like-minded individual, and he's pushing the envelope, and he's going to generate a lot of revenue, which is really exciting for me as a football coach, knowing what this place can be with the right person in charge. I was very fortunate to be under Mitch (Barnhart) for my short tenure so far, but I'm definitely looking forward to what's to come."
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