SHOULD TAX PAYERS PAY FOR NEW JSU STADIUM?

In this focused segment from The Clay Edwards Show, host Clay Edwards tackles the hot-button issue of Jackson State University's push for a new football stadium. JSU is requesting about $40 million from the state for a "big old shiny castle on a hill," but Clay questions whether taxpayers should foot the bill when other schools like Mississippi State and Ole Miss raise their own funds through alumni donations and expansions.   Diving into the numbers, Clay reveals that JSU reported zero dollars in athletic donations for 2022—despite it being their most successful year under Deion Sanders, with sold-out games, national attention, and a SWAC championship. He argues for accountability: if fans and alumni aren't contributing, why should the state? While acknowledging the benefits of relocating from the current off-campus site (which could aid UMMC's expansion into a medical corridor), Clay insists any new stadium must be on-campus for the full college experience, not out in a remote area.   Clay shares honest takes on the surrounding neighborhoods, emphasizing common-sense solutions like fundraisers and master plans to generate revenue rather than relying on public money. Listener texts chime in, highlighting JSU's high FCS attendance but stressing the need for fiscal responsibility—comparing it to Ole Miss and Mississippi State's self-funded projects. Is $40 million worth it, or should JSU tighten the belt and rally its base? Clay calls it straight: without commitment, they might as well play in a high school stadium.   Raw, unfiltered debate on local accountability, HBCU pride, and taxpayer dollars—perfect for fans of no-nonsense Mississippi talk.