There have been a lot of changes to UK Athletics recently. Out are John Calipari, Mitch Barnhart, and Mark Stoops. In are Mark Pope, Will Stein, and J Batt.
Change is good… even if it comes at a cost.
Batt, who is leaving Michigan State to become UK’s next athletic director, was set to have just a $2.5 million buyout to come to Lexington. However, that number may go to $5 million after an unexpected development.
The original $5 million buyout in Batt’s contract was cut in half to $2.5 million due to a contract clause after Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz announced that he would be leaving for the same role at Clemson.
But on Monday, news broke that Guskiewicz is staying in East Lansing. That could complicate things for Kentucky, and they may have to pay the original full $5 million buyout.
While it remains to be seen on how much UK will end up paying Michigan State, Batt is not considering staying in East Lansing following Guskiewicz’s change of heart, according to UK president Eli Capilouto.
“J Batt and I spoke this afternoon and he has reinforced his commitment to UK and his excitement about joining the Big Blue Nation as soon as possible,” Capilouto posted on Twitter. “We are working quickly to finalize his start date and his family is eager to join our community as well.”
Batt’s deal with Kentucky is for six years and worth nearly $18 million.
