Michigan State athletic director J. Batt is reported to be in contention for Kentucky’s athletic director position after Kentucky’s current vacancy. Multiple outlets say Kentucky is pursuing Batt as a potential replacement. One report frames him as a finalist for the Kentucky job, while others describe Kentucky’s efforts to hire him. The articles also note that Batt joined Michigan State in June 2025 and had moved to Michigan State after previously serving in other athletic department leadership roles. Another source says Kentucky has hired Batt away from Michigan State, indicating the transition is either already complete or imminent, shortly more than a year after he left Georgia Tech. Across the coverage, the timing centers on Batt’s relatively brief tenure at Michigan State and Kentucky’s ongoing search process for its athletic director. One outlet adds that Batt is known for fundraising, describing him as a prolific fundraiser. Taken together, the reports indicate Kentucky is selecting or has selected Batt to lead its athletics program following the AD opening, with details of the exact status varying by outlet.