MSU Approves J Batt Hire, $25.6M Athletics Boost

Michigan State University's Board of Trustees has approved the hiring of J Batt as the new athletic director, with his six-year contract and reported annual salary of $1.5 to $1.8 million marking a new era for Spartan athletics. Batt, formerly Georgia Tech's athletic director, is the first external hire for the role since 1995. The board also approved a $25.6 million increase in the athletics budget, featuring a $20 million revenue-sharing plan for student athletes, as the university aims to remain competitive amid the surge in NIL deals. This financial boost coincides with the approval of a 4.5% tuition increase and ongoing legislative scrutiny regarding MSU's reliance on out-of-state and international students. Batt stressed the need for university-wide alignment and resource mobilization to achieve both athletic and academic goals. Additionally, hockey coach Adam Nightingale received a contract extension, reflecting further investment in Spartan sports leadership.