MSU to Hire J Batt as New Athletic Director

Michigan State University is set to hire Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt, with an official announcement expected soon. Batt will reportedly receive a base salary of about $1.8 million per year, and Michigan State will pay over $2 million to buy out his contract with Georgia Tech. Batt is credited with generating nearly $300 million toward a $500 million fundraising campaign and breaking a school record with $78.2 million raised in FY 2024. His tenure at Georgia Tech included key hires in football and basketball, as well as significant modernization efforts. Batt previously worked at Alabama and other universities, enhancing his reputation as a top candidate for the role. Michigan State aims to overhaul its athletic department and sees Batt's fundraising expertise and leadership as vital to its future competitiveness.