Today the Jackson Baseball Club, owner of the former minor league baseball team known as the Jackson Generals, announced that the Ballpark at Jackson will host The Winnipeg (Canada) Goldeyes baseball team for the 2021 season. The Club’s announcement is inaccurate.

The City of Jackson – not the Jackson Baseball Club – owns the Ballpark at Jackson. Under a 2011 Stadium License and Use Agreement, the City gave the Club certain rights to use the stadium. But the Club defaulted under that Agreement when earlier this year it lost its affiliation with AA baseball. Major League Baseball restructured the minor league system, and the Generals were not invited to be a part of the new league, which is called “One Baseball.” Since losing its AA status, the Club has been in material breach of its Agreement with the City.

On March 12, 2021, the City sent the Club notice of the Club’s default and asked the Club to provide proof that it would be fielding an AA-affiliated team this season in Jackson. The Club failed to do so. Therefore, on April 28, 2021, the City gave the Club formal notice that, after May 28, the Club must vacate the stadium and thereafter will no longer have any rights with respect to the use or occupancy of the stadium. The Club had no authority to enter into its purported arrangement with the Goldeyes – a Canadian team without an A, AA, or AAA affiliation – for use of the City’s stadium this season. The Club did so without the knowledge or consent of the City as owner of the facility.

The Club’s default under the License Agreement requires the City to take a fresh look at all potential uses for its stadium. The City is in the process of seeking the best possible use of that facility for the citizens of Jackson. The process will be carried out in accordance with state law, the City’s obligations to its citizens, and in the City’s best interests.