Column
Our state throughout its history has had professional teams scattered all over the landscape. Professional hockey on the coast, baseball in the capital city, and the Mississippi Hard Hats basketball team in the Delta have given us a glimpse of the possibilities.
We know that it can be done in the Magnolia State under the heading of professional sports, but what about Major League sports? Could we support an NFL, NHL, MLB, or NBA team within our borders? If you ask the experts, the short answer is “no.” But to the dreamers, a team of Major League proportions is possible.
Let’s speak to the dreamer’s perspective first. Many who have discussed this topic in an online forum have pointed to the anecdotal example of the Green Bay Packers. The argument against a major franchise locating in Mississippi is that we do not have the population to support it. But the optimist would point out that Jackson, Mississippi (166,000) has more people than Green Bay (107,000). Moreover, Mississippi has two college football teams (Ole Miss and Mississippi State) that consistently outdraw Major League sports at the turn styles.
Population and the ability to draw a crowd are two very important factors in sustaining a Major League franchise.
But, there are other factors that make this aspiration a bit more nuanced. Going back to the Green Bay and Jackson population argument, the former is a publicly-owned team with Chicago and Milwaukee being major feeder markets just a few hours away.
The challenge for a team in Jackson or any other part of the state would be too much distance between the stadium and a major feeder market.
If you venture a few hours in either direction, would get into the markets of the Titans, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Cowboys and Saints. Even if we target western and central Alabama as a feeder market, I’m more inclined to believe that those fans would look towards Atlanta for their Major League sports. Some teams located near major cities have suburban markets more populated than Jackson.
In addition to people, it also takes ambience to attract a Major League franchise. Some of the experts question the state’s offerings outside the arena for players, their families and team officials. Would there be enough diversions, nightlife, quality of life, and excursions to entice the people involved?
Media markets and advertising also play important roles. Would the team have access to markets to get the most bang for their bucks to sell merchandise, memberships and other non-game portions of the business?
One more point to consider is that some cities such as Austin and Albuquerque that have three fourths of a million and half a million residents respectively also do not have a team.
So, my final analysis for Mississippi is to pursue a Major League Baseball team and locate it on the coast where there are casinos, beaches, military installations, access to New Orleans, Jackson, Mobile and the Florida panhandle without competition from basketball and football in the area.
Patrick Ervin has been writing about the Delta for more than two decades. He specializes in sports and religion
