Spartan Ventures Update

Dear Spartans,
Last summer, work began on a business structure that represented a new approach to operating an intercollegiate athletics program. It is a bold, innovative framework that brings private sector advantages, a revenue generation focused approach, and operational flexibility while maintaining alignment with the institution and a continued connection with the collegiate model.

Over the subsequent months, numerous steps have been taken and milestones achieved to bring the concept of Spartan Ventures to reality. These include:

MSU Board of Trustees authorization in October
$100 million investment from Greg and Dawn Williams
Official incorporation of Spartan Ventures in December
Formation of the Spartan Athletic Foundation as a subsidiary
Establishment of a seven-member board and appointment of executive leadership team in January

Throughout that time, numerous dedicated staff have been working diligently to build the infrastructure of Spartan Ventures. Establishing the organizational staff structure, standing up business systems, establishing healthcare and retirement plans, and recruiting and hiring staff. Spartan Ventures is set to officially launch on July 1, but the preparation work has been ongoing for months.

In light of the recent news of upcoming MSU leadership transition, our message is simple: Spartan Ventures is moving forward and it is primed to elevate MSU Athletics to new levels. Just last week at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting, MSU Board Chair Brianna Scott and Trustee Sandy Pierce affirmed the importance of Spartan Ventures. Trustee Pierce said that "this venture, long-term, is going to benefit not just athletics but the entire university."

Great work has been done to get to this point, and the work will continue until we have provided our Spartan student-athletes with the resources they need to win championships. The foundation has been laid and the bricks are being stacked.

The future is bright for MSU. MSU Athletics success is an important part of that future. Spartan Ventures is a critical vehicle to achieve that success, and we are "all in" to make it successful.

As we officially launch Spartan Ventures on July 1, we embark on a new journey. It promises to be an exciting one!

Go Green!

Jon Palumbo
CEO, Spartan Ventures

Jared Kozinn,
President and Chief Commercial Officer, Spartan Ventures

Tim House,
President, Spartan Athletic Foundation

Michigan State University Athletics

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