A consultant is looking for a new stadium for Jackson State for an interesting reason

A city official is seeking funding to build a new stadium for Jackson State. In comments obtained by VPLT, Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes urged Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, as well as school officials, to work together to build a new stadium. Stokes is not just talking football in his bid to build a new stadium for the Tigers. He also believes it will help build a comprehensive cancer center by the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).

Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes is calling on Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Jackson State officials to push for a new football stadium.

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“The governor is doing his job. Give Jackson State this new stadium so we can build the cancer center properly,” Stokes said. “It’s going to be built right where the stadium is… We don’t need to cut this cancer center short. People are getting sick every day… Jackson State: demand your new stadium. Stand up. And let’s do it together and build a new Jackson, Mississippi.”

The push comes as new details emerge regarding a cross-section of JSU’s athletic future and state health infrastructure. According to November investigation by the Clarion-Ledger, the 75-year-old Veterans Memorial Stadium has become a financial burden, losing nearly $1.5 million in operating expenses since 2019. Despite JSU consistently leading the FCS in attendance, the aging facility requires constant, expensive repairs just to stay functional. Stokes argues that instead of pouring money into a failing structure, the state should turn to a “land swap” strategy.

“The cancer center is a step in the right direction for the state of Mississippi, for the city of Jackson and for Jackson State University,” Stokes said in a 2025 quote obtained by the Clarion-Ledger.

The logic behind the move is rooted in a 2011 state law (House Bill 1158), which mandates that if Jackson State leaves the stadium, the property will likely be returned to UMMC. This would pave the way for UMMC’s proposed $250 million cancer center, a project recently unveiled by Mayor John Horn that has already raised $60 million in philanthropic gifts, including a massive $25 million donation from Sandy and John Black.