Michigan State Univeristy Athletic Director J Batt, right, listens to MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, before being introduced to the Spartan community as the new athletic director. Seated next to Batt is wife Leah, and sons Fitzgerald and Graham. | Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State athletic director J Batt is a realist. He understands that Spartan Stadium is more than 100 years old and needs a lot of work, especially on the east side of the building. Prior to his being hired, the Michigan State Board of Trustees approved $28 million in renovations to the premium areas of the west tower and new video boards.

Stadium Upgrades

This was approved in December. The work is anticipated to be completed by the Aug. 29 season opener against Western Michigan.

That was all accomplished before Batt took over. He knows if he is going to get any more money to further beautify the stadium, it will be up to him to generate the revenue and make some hard and fast fundraising changes. He has already instituted some changes that did not cost much money, but fans will see the subtleties, nonetheless.

ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso watches the Ohio State Marching Band prior to the Buckeyes' 49-37 win over Michigan State in the NCAA football game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan on Nov. 8, 2014. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We’re taking a look at everything holistically,” Batt said at Big Ten Football Media Days last week. “There will be some changes that fans will notice right out of the gate. … We’ve really looked at gameday opportunities. With Levy coming on board, I think our concessions operation will be dramatically improved and there’s a couple other twists in the gameday production that you guys will notice when we get into games.”

Michigan State AD J Batt on Football, Jonathan Smith, Sponsorships, Renovations

Stadium naming rights

Batt's predecessor Alan Haller spoke of Michigan State's interest in securing facility naming rights. That is something Batt is continuing. He is very much interested in bringing on board a name sponsor. This would be similar to what he did at Georgia Tech when he secured a $55 million, 20-year deal to add the name Hyundai Field to Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

“We’ll consider anything that helps put us in the best position to be successful,” Batt said. “Naming rights are something that have to be very thoughtful, you’ve got to make sure that it’s the right partner that aligns with the values and the missions of the institution.

"I certainly don’t have anything to share at the moment but we’ve got to consider all opportunities. I think the changing landscape, the need for revenue, you’ve got to look broad at all the opportunities you have on your campus.”

Nov 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fans in the stands against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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