Jon Palumbo leaving Michigan State to reunite with J Batt at Kentucky

Michigan State executive deputy athletic director and Spartan Ventures CEO Jon Palumbo is leaving the university to join former MSU athletic director J Batt at Kentucky. Kentucky announced Palumbo’s hiring Tuesday.

“We all owe Jon a great deal of gratitude for the positive impact he has made on Michigan State Athletics,” Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae said in a statement. “I am particularly appreciative of the efforts Jon has made to orient me on Spartan Ventures and his partnership in working to make my transition to campus a successful one.

“While Spartan Ventures successfully launched on July 1, there’s still more work to be done as we move towards full implementation. The structure and staff remain in place to boldly move forward even during a period of transition.”

Palumbo will start his new role on September 18. His departure ends a Michigan State tenure that lasted a little more than a year but included significant changes within the athletic department. He arrived in East Lansing in July 2025 as executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer after working with Batt at Georgia Tech.

Palumbo became the first CEO of Spartan Ventures, the separate organization created to oversee Michigan State Athletics’ commercial operations, fundraising, sponsorships, ticketing, marketing, and media ventures. He led the organization through its development and official launch July 1.

Palumbo also served briefly as Michigan State’s interim athletic director after Batt left for Kentucky in July. He remained in that position until MSU hired Bartholomae as its permanent vice president and director of athletics in August.

Michigan State will conduct a national search for its next Spartan Ventures CEO. Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Business Officer Eric Reinke, who also serves as Spartan Ventures’ chief financial officer, will lead the organization as interim CEO during the search.

Deputy Athletic Director Jen Smith will assume oversight of the units Palumbo managed within Michigan State Athletics. Bartholomae will become the primary sport administrator for the football program, a responsibility previously held by Palumbo.

Palumbo and Batt have now worked together at three schools. Palumbo joined Batt’s leadership team at Georgia Tech in 2022, followed him to Michigan State in 2025, and will now reunite with him at Kentucky.

“Kentucky has tremendous momentum, and we’re building with purpose for where college athletics is headed,” Batt said. “Jon is one of the most respected leaders in our industry and someone I trust deeply. He brings a unique combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and experience leading athletic departments at the highest level. He will be an invaluable partner as we continue investing in our student-athletes, serving the Big Blue Nation and strengthening the future of Kentucky Athletics and Champions Blue. We’re excited to welcome Jon and Rachel to our Kentucky family.”