J Batt exit adds to MSU leadership shake-up

• It comes less than a month after university president Kevin Guskiewicz said he's leaving for Clemson University, in part due to "discouraging behavior by a few trustees."

State of play: MSU hired Batt in June 2025 from Georgia Tech.

• He is set to become CEO of Champions Blue LLC and director of UK Athletics later this summer.
• Kentucky credited Batt with helping secure a $400 million-plus commitment at MSU and creating Spartan Ventures, a nonprofit for athletics-related revenue and partnerships.

Zoom out: MSU's leadership turmoil has extended beyond the president's office.

• Trustee Rema Vassar has threatened to sue the university for at least $25 million, alleging discrimination and civil rights violations, the Detroit News reported last week.

What's next: Guskiewicz said he'll be working to name an interim athletic director and outline a search process in the coming days.