University of Kentucky athletic director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC J. Batt is officially on the job, and he is already making his vision clear for the future of Kentucky athletics.
On Thursday morning, Batt joined Kentucky Sports Radio to speak directly with Big Blue Nation, discussing everything from football finances and basketball expectations to the importance of continuing to invest in all 22 varsity sports.
One of Batt’s biggest messages was that Kentucky fans are the foundation of everything the athletic department does.
“I want everybody in Big Blue Nation to know emphatically, directly from me, that whether they come and they buy one ticket to one game a year, whether they never make it to Rupp or Kroger or Memorial, they matter,” Batt said.
Batt also gave confidence that Kentucky football has the resources necessary to compete in the SEC during the new revenue-sharing era.
“I think I’m gonna answer that emphatically, Yes,” Batt said when asked if Kentucky football has the financial resources to succeed. “And frankly, I wouldn’t be here, neither would Will Stein, if that wasn’t the answer.”
The new athletic director also discussed his expectations for Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope, saying the standard at Kentucky remains competing for championships.
“I think Mark’s got a great team on the floor,” Batt said. “And, listen, I think Mark was on with you guys, where he said he understands the mission. He’s not going to shy away from the fact that the standard is the standard for Kentucky basketball.”
Batt emphasized that Kentucky must continue evolving in college athletics, especially with NIL, revenue sharing, and roster management becoming increasingly important.
He also made it clear that maintaining all Kentucky sports programs is a priority.
“Keep all the sports for sure,” Batt said. “I will do everything I possibly can, and don’t see a world in which that changes.”
Batt’s first week in Lexington has already shown his commitment to connecting with fans, supporting coaches, and building Kentucky athletics into a national contender across all sports.
Tweet of the Day
Headlines
Kentucky basketball alumni TBT championship opponent is Davis Steel- Courier Journal
La Familia will face Davis Steel on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET, with both teams fighting for a chance to become TBT champions and take home the $2 million prize.
Kentucky has no plans to cancel Governor’s Cup rivalry series- KSR
Even after the SEC moved to a nine-game conference schedule, it looks like Will Stein and J Batt agree that the rivalry with Louisville should continue.
Ousmane N’Diaye continues to emphasize Kentucky as a global brand- Cats Pause
While international recruiting continues to grow in college basketball, even players overseas recognize the brand and reputation of Kentucky basketball.
Morton ‘Blessed’ to be Playing Basketball at Kentucky- UK Athletics
Jerone Morton, who is from the state of Kentucky, finally gets to live out his dream of playing for the university after playing for two different teams before returning home.
Braydon Hawthorne Waited For His Turn And Now It Is Time To Show What He Can Do- Vaughts Views
After sitting out a year to add weight and improve his conditioning, Kentucky forward Braydon Hawthorne will have an opportunity to make a big impact in his first season playing.
With the basketball season quickly approaching and plenty of players capable of scoring, the question remains: how many will be able to average double-digit points?
Kentucky’s Kam Williams gives update on surgically repaired foot- USA Today
After undergoing a second surgery, Kam Williams spoke out about how he is feeling and when he could potentially return.
Kentucky WBB gets two unofficial visits from four-star players- USA Today
It is never too early to start recruiting for the class of 2028, and that is exactly what Kenny Brooks is doing for the Kentucky women’s basketball program.
2026 Kentucky Position Previews: Wide Receiver- KSR
As we are a little over a month away from kickoff for Kentucky football, it is never too early to take a look at the wide receiver room that Will Stein will have in his first year.
Archie Goodwin full of praise for current Kentucky men’s basketball team- The Paducah Sun
After a disappointing season last year, Kentucky will look to bounce back, and so far, La Familia and former Kentucky basketball guard Archie Goodwin have plenty of confidence in this year’s team.
