Some things are constant in life: Death, taxes, and Tim Bennett not paying his rent on Smith-Will Stadium. Yup. Once again, Mr. Bennett has failed to pay rent on the aged baseball stadium.
The City Council approve leasing Smith-Wills Stadium to Kusche Sports Group, LLC in April 2019. Tim Bennett owns Kusche.
The lease contained the following key terms:
* Kusche must pay a minimum rent of $125,000 per year.
* Kusche must obtain a $5 million performance bond and submit a copy to the city.
* The lease was valid for ten years with two renewable ten year terms.
* Kusche must spend at least $6 million on improvements.
Kusche never paid its rent. The company only paid $32,500 to Jackson since the first payment was due in October 2020. The company subleased the parking lot to the VA for overflow parking. The VA pays Kusche $370,000 per year under the 15-year contract although the contract includes costs such as shuttle service and security. Earlier post and copy of lease.
In the event of non-payment of rent, the city should be able to file a claim on the performance bond. There is just one problem. Kusche probably did not obtain a performance bond. Mr. Bennett told WLBT he did not obtain a performance bond because his insurance company told him he did not have to do so. (Um, the contract governs, not what the insurance company says. An experienced businessman and investor such as Tim Bennett should know that little fact.).
Mr. Bennett managed to escape paying his rent nor did the city hold him accountable for not getting a performance bond. Tim Bennett's company owed at least $500,000 in unpaid rent to the city of Jackson. However, the Jackson City Council wrote the debt down to $100,000 in January 2024. A city official said the city would accept the improvements made to the stadium as "payments in-kind." The amended lease allowed Bennett to make four payments by 2026. The first payment was due upon approval of the new lease that month.
Seven months passed yet no payment was made. Bennett made a $37,500 lease payment in July 2024 - a week after JJ and WLBT reported he had not paid his rent as required under the new lease.
Unfortunately, Kusche has not paid its rent in 2025. The $37,500 payment was due October 1. JJ submitted a public records request and obtained records showing Bennett only made one payment in July 2024. Thus he is currently past due on his lease payment.
What will city of Jackson do?
At the bare minimum, the city should sent a demand letter to Kusche. It has the right to examine the books on that sublease as well. How much of that sub-lease is cost and how much is profit? Can any of that profit be applied to the lease?
Kingfish note: It's time to face reality. Baseball is not coming back to Smith-Wills in any substantial form. The days of pulling at least 1,000 in attendance are long gone. Trustmark Park is a much nicer facility yet it can't get a farm team from the major leagues. In Smith-Wills heyday, the Mets had little competition but for Mississippi State University. Ole Miss and Southern Miss are now fielding championship teams as well and all three are strongly supported. Throw in travel ball, and it is clear professional baseball has much stiffer competition than it did 30 years ago. Indeed, one might argue the universities are providing a superior product.
It's time to tear the stadium down. Build a modern baseball complex, soccer fields, or a natatorium (aquatic center for you readers in Rio Linda.). Jackson probably does not have the money to do anything with the property. Let the state have it so it can build something nice.
41 comments:
Who pays the Smith-Wills water bill?
Most excellent question!
That area is prime for some awesome development. Sure hope the state gets it and expands the museum district (or perhaps builds a zoo?) The loud colors that stadium is painted in now is cheap/tacky looking.
Can the contract with Bennett be voided for failure to pay?
A grifter taking advantage of a sucker--
PLEASE let the state have it!!! Look how nice the Mississippi Children's Museum and Natural Science Center are right across the street. Now is not the time to be stubborn - let Jackson thrive.
At a minimum, wouldn't the City be better off to cancel the lease due to breach of contract and sublease the parking lot to the VA directly for the duration of the term?? Providing shuttle service and security cannot be that expensive. It makes a lot more sense for the State to take back this entire property though. It could be used for so much more.
Build soccer/flag football fields around it. With the incredible job North Jackson Youth Baseball has done across the street and the new pedestrian bridge connecting the two it could be a world class facility with future investment into the city. Tim is only lining his pockets and needs to be shown the door.
Is Kushe Sports a subsidiary of the Lumumba Kush Movement?
Put a new zoo there?
It should be noted that Chokwe kicked Belhaven out of Smith Wills. Belhaven paid rent, maintained the field and locker rooms and had branding on the scoreboard and inside the stadium.
Without notice, Chokwe kicked them out. They had to play a hodge podge season, playing home games at Millsaps, Prep and even Holmes Community College in Goodman before getting a lease at Trustmark.
It's either that or a cushy deal.
Maybe both!
Do you really need to ask?
I thought the State was already in the process of taking the property back under the terms which granted the land to the City years ago?
The city is in financial turmoil and they can't be bothered by collecting on large debts including this and large water bills. Seems this is a self-made crisis that no one wants to address...
The case is on discovery. Nothing filed since April
Develop an entertainment district with the half-priced red fruity drinks until 6, Tuesday night twerk contests, and Friday night seafood. You'd need some serious liability insurance but what could go wrong?
If baseball is to come back to Mississippi successfully, then we should get a Banana Ball team. They would need to be in Pearl as that is the better stadium.
Smith-Wills needs to go the way of Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.
Hey KF- The amended agreement from 2024 between City and Kusche Sports Group states that annually commencing on September 1 2024 the City "shall" invoice KSG for the annual utility costs for operating Smith-Wills Stadium and all adjoining fields utilized by KSG.
So according to the amended agreement KSG should have been invoiced twice.
KSG should have paid the 2024 invoice by now.
Likely all utility meters (gas+electric+water) are in the COJ's name, and not KSG.
Does the city invoice KSG for the utility costs (if any) for the parking KSG subleased?
What are the odds that the city has invoiced and KSG has paid per agreement?
These utility charges probably aren't chump change.
If they don't allow street takeovers whenever the yutes want this idea will fail.
Also they could offer discounts if the peoples ride their unlicensed off road vehicles. Show and shine or eat and dash or something.
Step up Mayor Horne! Make Kush pay up, or give the property back to the State.
Excellent place for a trailer park and with all the medical facilities nearby, even week to week RV parking at a price. Plus legislators could camp out there during session.
tear down the stadium and build a zoo on the property
The original 2019 agreement between COJ and KSG had the city providing and paying for water, sewer, gas and electricity up to $60,000 per year. (This immediately preceeds the performance bond suggestion)
No provisions I saw for what would be done if the utility costs were above $60,000 per year.
What an outstanding Legacy League season! Hope y'all got out there to take in a game or two.
The city council & the major have tag teamed ed Jackson into a third world city. Even Gaza looks better than Jackson. Enough said!
"Rio Linda" Ha! A great Rush quote.
Can we get CJ out there for a follow-up hand-holding session with Tim Bennett? Tell him to bring a fresh box of tissues.
Knowing what we know about Antard and Rukia, no way Jose that this situation was allowed to continue without alot of friendliness being exchanged.
The city can't enforce and handle a basic contract. Just follow the contractual terms. If the other party violates the contractual terms, then take the proper steps to enforce the terms in the contract. This is 1st grade stuff.
This has been well known for many, many years. Until the FBI takes REAL interest, this theft of city of Jackson money will continue. This exact scenario takes place every few years. As long as Jackson residents (of which I am not anymore) turn a blind eye to the problem, it will only grow.
By Tim leasing to the VA may be what
gets it back to the state. It has nothing
to do with park purposes.
New Jackson slogan : Jackson, where we're putting the con in our contracts 24-7!
Hell if the state takes over Smith Wills they could expand the LeFleur's Bluff golf to 18 holes.
So Tim / Kusche Sports is still collecting $30K per month from VA? and City is not attempting to collect what is owed or evict him? Not a bad living..
Would make a great spot for JPS, JFC,Belhaven, Milsaps, JSU to all share sports facilities.
2:43 Really?
What about the shuttle service that happened on Saturday for JSU's homecoming? They were charging $10.00 per car to park and ride to the game and back. The ads said that the Jackson Visitor's Bureau were sponsors. WHO GOT THE MONEY??????
The as-yet unaxed question is 'Why doesn't the federal government take an interest in this ridiculous and likely illegal contract for a parking venue that is never used for that purpose?'
Somebody is making a killing. Where's Elon when we need him?
The folks in DC need to take a look at this insane VA parking contract. This would have blown Elon's skirt up!
So the guy lives on the premises in his trailer rent- free; makes a bundle on the V A contract and brings in no money to use the stadium. The city and state turn a blind eye. Got it!
It appears parking and shuttle service/security is the best money make for that property. Tear down SW and add more parking!
Braves, Shuckers, Legacy League, Aaron Sports League, SWAC Baseball Tournament, Overtime Sports, VA Contract...all failures
How is the new mayor putting up with this?
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