Jackson Generals Majority Owner David Freeman has responded by Facebook post and by letter to the announcement made Wednesday by City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger in regards to the future of The Jackson Generals.
City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger announced, through Facebook, Wednesday afternoon that he had the city attorney inform the Jackson Generals that since Major League Baseball did not extend them an invitation to be a franchise, the city’s lease terminates and they will need to vacate the stadium, located at 4 Fun Place on or before February 15, 2021.
Freeman replied via Facebook post, by saying, “Mayor, it is unfortunate that you have declined my requests for a conversation over the past year. We should be discussing topics like quality of life and economic impact. We should be engaging in conversations that are win-win for the community. The Generals have a lease that extends for the next 24 years and our intent is to maintain professional baseball in Jackson for the long term. We would welcome your support. We ask for your support. Keep the faith Generals fans!!!!”
Freeman also shared the letter he sent to the City of Jackson Thursday morning. In the letter, Freeman wrote:
“The Generals will remain in Jackson and will continue to field a professional baseball team within Major League Baseball’s new “One Baseball” umbrella. I hope you will support this effort and will take pride in our willingness to make the very best of this evolving landscape. Unless you personally attempt to stand in the way, the Jackson Generals will continue to field a high-quality professional baseball team, continue to provide affordable family entertainment to the community, continue to take the high risks associated with promoting live musical events, continue to provide 150 jobs and a $2 million annual local spend within the City, and continue to provide an annual economic impact of $6-10 million for the local economy. The team’s owners are willing to continue to invest in Jackson. I cannot fathom how our state would partner with a mayor on future economic development projects if you maliciously harm Tennesseans that have invested tens of millions of dollars in your community.”
Freeman also accused Conger of “political revenge.”
Freeman also wrote:
“My request to you – – and my offer to you – – is that we turn the page on this relationship and focus on a productive relationship in the best interests of the community. A relationship that maintains professional baseball in Jackson, continues to develop the stadium as a concert venue, and continues to maximize activation of the stadium.
Here is my offer:
We will keep professional baseball in Jackson. We will continue to vigorously seek concert opportunities as a co-promotor. We will give back $400,000 annually that was promised to the team by dedicating and investing those dollars into maintaining the City’s stadium. We ask for NOTHING in return other than your enthusiastic embrace of maintaining professional baseball in Jackson and your willingness to accept $400,000 annually on behalf of taxpayers.
The alternative is for the City to cure its ongoing 10-year breach of the License Agreement and move forward with funding the Hotel and Conference Center as promised in the License Agreement.
Keep the Jackson Generals. Recapture $400,000 annually. Regardless of your decision, the team has a valid contract for the next 24 years and will be announcing its future baseball plans in the coming days. Please be our partner, our ally, and our supporter. An immediate reply is requested.”
You can read Freeman’s letter and The City of Jackson’s letter Freeman responded to in their entirety below:
