J Batt interviewing for USC(e) AD job

[GTLorenzo]

The highest paid AD in the SEC makes 2.1 million. Batt makes 850k here. I doubt South Carolina is going to make him the highest paid AD in the conference..

We can easily pay him 2x 3x more. We have more money than SCAR and it’s not even close

I heard months ago from sources that he would he getting calls from SEC teams this year that could double or triple his salary. That means he’s doing a good job and it’s known. I hope he stays and we pay him. He likes ATL and so does his family. But who wouldn’t listen to the opportunity to double or triple your salary?

 

[stinger 1957]

My gut is telling me we're getting him a much higher compensation package, that's what this is about. I believe we absolutely need to do just that. I believe the future for J Batt is much greater at GT, he will make himself a great name and become wealthy while doing so. So much more he can do with the opportunities GT now has in it's future. He will be the AD that brought GT into the bigtime in Atlanta GA. He could be the leader for the BIG in the SE when they are establishing the BIG up and down the eastern part of the US. I do not see USCe having the same opportunities in the coming years of where CFB seems to be headed. He is privileged to know where CFB is headed and who will have the opportunities.

 

[GT33]

It's either fake news or we'll see if Cabrera has a hot hand.

I like the man, but by all reports he didn't get HIS choice for football coach. Jury's out on Stoudamire. He still has Danny Hall.

Could be that SCe's telling him they're no longer content with being "just better than Vandy" and want to try to start competing. That's a tall order considering they're in the same conference with Tx, a&m, Bama, Tn, uf and Aubarn. Edit: forgot lsu.

 

[Eli]

I heard months ago from sources that he would he getting calls from SEC teams this year that could double or triple his salary. That means he’s doing a good job and it’s known. I hope he stays and we pay him. He likes ATL and so does his family. But who wouldn’t listen to the opportunity to double or triple your salary?

True. I guess it depends on where the doubling or tripling takes place. I took a job that increased my salary by 50% two years ago and though it’s created me even more financial freedom I get a sick pit in my stomach every Sunday night before the work week begins. Maybe that’s normal as you age idk lol

 

[bobongo]

Cabrera is 100% the best thing to happen to Tech. My question is how much is Batt wanting Tech to pay him? He’s in year 2 of a 5 year deal and yes he has grown out athletic budget substantially but is pretty much on par with the league. D-Rad is the highest paid in the country at 3 million every other major AD is between 800K- 2.1 million. I don’t think Cabrera would not give him a 200-300k raise and then let the next two years play out and up it again..

Dunno, but it seems he's on the low end of the salary range and by that measure merits a raise. The one at the top, Cabrera, is the most important guy but that having been said, a reasonable attempt to keep Batt on should probably be made. I'm guessing that's what's happening right now.

 

[stinger 1957]

Ask yourself would you rather be a CFB HC at GT in ATL with the backing of the school and now their wealthy supporters in the 6th largest media mkt or USCe that probably has no longtime future in CFB with where the sport is headed. ADs live off the success of their CFB programs in most situations.

 

[Randy Carson]

Forty Under 40: J. Batt

Alabama’s lead fundraiser J. Batt has learned two key lessons about the important but sometimes tricky aspects of when and how to ask for money. One, the worst that can happen is that the prospective donor says no, so be bold. Two, don’t be the first one to speak after making the ask. Give them...

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

In this 2021 interview, J Batt referenced Bear Bryant’s famous line in 1958 about taking the Crimson Tide job — “Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come running.” (Randy asks: We quote maxims we agree with, don't we?)

A former boss told Batt that “the most romantic relationship people will have outside of their spouse is with their alma mater,” he said. (Randy asks: Why did Batt recall that quote in an interview if not because he believes it to be true?)

So, who is J Batt's "momma" to whom he will come running? With what program does J Batt have a "romantic relationship"?

 

[roadkill]

Batt has done what he was hired to do – hire and support new coaches for the two revenue sports, and find and generate new revenue for GT athletics.
I won’t be happy if he goes, but if he does, he will leave a program in much better shape than when he started. Cabrera should not have difficulty attracting a worthy replacement.

 

[MWBATL]

Forty Under 40: J. Batt

Alabama’s lead fundraiser J. Batt has learned two key lessons about the important but sometimes tricky aspects of when and how to ask for money. One, the worst that can happen is that the prospective donor says no, so be bold. Two, don’t be the first one to speak after making the ask. Give them...

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

In this 2021 interview, J Batt referenced Bear Bryant’s famous line in 1958 about taking the Crimson Tide job — “Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come running.” (Randy asks: We quote maxims we agree with, don't we?)

A former boss told Batt that “the most romantic relationship people will have outside of their spouse is with their alma mater,” he said. (Randy asks: Why did Batt recall that quote in an interview if not because he believes it to be true?)

So, who is J Batt's "momma" to whom he will come running? With what program does J Batt have a "romantic relationship"?

UNC….he’s a UNC grad I believe….(not USCe)

 

[Ramble1885]

Batt has done what he was hired to do – hire and support new coaches for the two revenue sports, and find and generate new revenue for GT athletics.
I won’t be happy if he goes, but if he does, he will leave a program in much better shape than when he started. Cabrera should not have difficulty attracting a worthy replacement.

This. If he stays, we‘ll be okay, if he leaves, we’ll be okay. Cabrera is one of the few GT presidents in history to ACTUALLY HAVE ATHLETICS AS A PRIORITY.

 

[stinger78]

I realize I am an old relic and the world is a very different place now, but I would NEVER take a job that I knew was like a 5 year process and make a bunch of commitments and then bail after 2 years. But that is just me ...

You are not alone. If true, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[Techster]

Honestly, this wouldn't surprise me if he left. The football coaching search left a bad taste in Batt's mouth, and I don't blame him. There are donors that are still trying to throw their weight around because they don't have the influence they once did, and withholding money to hire Key was their last big play. Luckily, it all worked out, but the way it all went down including all the leaks really tested Batt.

That said, Cabrera isn't going to let Batt go because of money. Batt has a LOT of support now among the GT donors and decision makers. The money is there for Batt. If he leaves, it will be because of personal non monetary issues, and USCe's ability to raise money for NIL.

According to this site:

Sportico’s Intercollegiate Finance Database

Sportico is maintaining an interactive, real-time database that tracks the official balance sheets of public FBS university athletic departments.

www.sportico.com

USC and GT are fairly close in overall revenue. $160m for USCe versus $133m for GT. USCe also plays more sports than GT so the gap isn't as wide as the $27million. As we all know, the real test is how big of a war chest an athletic program has in NIL.

One thing to also consider is the ACC vs SEC revenue gap in the future, and the ACC's future versus the SEC's future.

If Batt does end up leaving, he will have left GT better than he found it. Really, in this day and age, that's all you can ask for. I also believe GT is a MUCH MUCH better job for the next AD than when Batt got here. Cabrerra won't have a problem finding a very good replacement for Batt should it come to that...especially since the biggest revenue generator, football, is trending to be one of the top 20-30 programs in the next couple of years.

 

[stinger78]

Batt has done what he was hired to do – hire and support new coaches for the two revenue sports, and find and generate new revenue for GT athletics.
I won’t be happy if he goes, but if he does, he will leave a program in much better shape than when he started. Cabrera should not have difficulty attracting a worthy replacement.

Sure, but what is our signal to noise ratio on AD hires?

 

[LongforDodd]

If he leaves let’s not hire a grown man to replace him that goes by only the first letter of his name. That’s a red flag.

 

[Eli]

If he leaves let’s not hire a grown man to replace him that goes by only the first letter of his name. That’s a red flag.

If he leaves we need to hire Graham Neff

 

[305jacket]

This would be horrible for our athletic program

 

[Tommy_Taylor_1972]

He was not on the initial projected candidate list of Sep 13. https://www.aol.com/south-carolina-athletic-director-candidates-200242504.html . Some must have been weeded out by now, and some added. The Arkansas AD's son is an assistant coach at South Carolina. And the current AD will remain special assistant to the president until 2028. Just a couple things to consider in taking the USC job.

 

[Ramble1885]

This would be horrible for our athletic program

Nah. Cabera is no Petit. He wants sports here to do well, he’ll get someone solid.

 

[1979jacket]

Forty Under 40: J. Batt

Alabama’s lead fundraiser J. Batt has learned two key lessons about the important but sometimes tricky aspects of when and how to ask for money. One, the worst that can happen is that the prospective donor says no, so be bold. Two, don’t be the first one to speak after making the ask. Give them...

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

In this 2021 interview, J Batt referenced Bear Bryant’s famous line in 1958 about taking the Crimson Tide job — “Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come running.” (Randy asks: We quote maxims we agree with, don't we?)

A former boss told Batt that “the most romantic relationship people will have outside of their spouse is with their alma mater,” he said. (Randy asks: Why did Batt recall that quote in an interview if not because he believes it to be true?)

So, who is J Batt's "momma" to whom he will come running? With what program does J Batt have a "romantic relationship"?

unc?

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

We can easily pay him 2x 3x more. We have more money than SCAR and it’s not even close

SC has an athletic budget of about $160 million vs. ours of about $130 million. I am not sure this statement is correct.