Overview
- MSU announced Friday, July 10, 2026, that Jon Palumbo will serve immediately as interim athletic director after J Batt’s departure to Kentucky.
- Palumbo will continue as CEO of Spartan Ventures and will appoint a temporary board representative to fill the AD seat on that nonprofit while he serves as interim.
- Kentucky negotiated a reduced buyout for J Batt’s exit, reported at $3.95 million, and MSU says Batt has transitioned away from operational duties and will be finished at MSU on July 27.
- President Kevin Guskiewicz said the university will evaluate internal and external candidates in a national search, signaling this is a temporary stewardship rather than a guaranteed promotion for Palumbo.
- The change follows recent governance unrest at MSU — including efforts by donors and trustees to retain the president — and could shape near‑term fundraising, media‑rights work led by Spartan Ventures, and program stability heading into the season.