Mississippi Raiders Arena Football Moving to Jackson
The Mississippi Raiders, an arena league football team, is moving to Jackson, Mississippi, the City With Soul.
The team held a press conference today with Mayor Lumumba and Visit Jackson’s President & CEO Dr. Rickey Thigpen at the Holiday Inn Express near the Mississippi Coliseum where the team will play.
Their first game is slated for March 26, 2022.
The Raiders, owned by James and Tamie Germany, formerly played in the American Indoor Football Alliance in Hattiesburg. The team is scheduled to travel to Tampa, FL in the next few weeks where a new indoor arena league will be announced.
“The move from Hattiesburg to Jackson was one that was not done lightly,” says team owner, James Germany. “We thought long and hard about the move and determined that at this time Jackson was the right place for this team. We leave behind great relationships with the community of Hattiesburg and look forward to having a team there in the future.”
“Our research has identified sports as a primary vertical market segment focus during the upcoming year,” said Thigpen. “Hence, the partnership with the Mississippi Raiders is perfect. We are excited to be the new home to Mississippi’s arena football team and look forward to the diversification of our tourism and sporting product and the opportunity to bring Raider fans to the city.”
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he is grateful the team chose Jackson and would work to ensure a successful and beneficial relationship between the City and team.
“This is a celebratory occasion as we are very excited to welcome the Mississippi Raiders to Jackson, Mississippi,” Mayor Lumumba said. “This is indeed another component that creates a sense of place in our city. This is a unique experience that we can offer visitors and other teams so that we not only showcase a wonderful football program, but we can also showcase our city.”
About the Mississippi Raiders
For many football players, arena league football is a stop gap or a steppingstone towards recruitment by a national football organization. More importantly, the Mississippi Raiders and others team like it want to provide solid opportunities for HBCU players who do not traditionally get the nod or invitation to the NFL combine.