JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Five years ago, on September 21, 2020, Jackson State announced Coach Deion Sanders would become their new head football coach, bringing in an influx of fans and business to the capital city.
On average, in 2019, 33,762 fans attended a JSU home game.
Once Sanders became coach in the Fall of 2021, attendance jumped to an average of 42,293 people per home game and increased even more after winning the SWAC championship to 43,56 the next year.
During that time, the Capital City reaped the economic revenue benefits from the influx of fans.
“When I look at the numbers, it’s not as significant as you might think. In 2021, it was $2.2 million, 2022 was $4.7 million, and 2023 [after Sanders left] was $3.7 million. And so, not a huge difference that you would expect. So, the impact is still ongoing because people just love JSU football,” Yoland Clay-Moore with Visit Jackson explained.
While Coach T.C. Taylor has been able to maintain the winning record for the Tigers, attendance at games has dropped. But that doesn’t concern Yolanda Clay-Moore with Visit Jackson.
“A lot of people came not for Jackson State Football, they came because of Deion Sanders. They came because they didn’t know who was going to be on the sidelines. And so, there were a lot of things people were coming for. But I still hold true to the fact that you still have those die-hard JSU fans who are embracing the football program,” Clay-Moore said.
So how much did attendance drop after Sanders left?
On average, in 2023, 30,564 people attended games. In 2024, that average was 26,638.
Moore adds that the drop in attendance was expected after Sanders left in 2023 for the University of Colorado.
Visit Jackson and JSU are currently brainstorming ways to bring more fans back into the capital city, as the team has three home games left this season.
The next home game is on October 11 against Alabama State.
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