MCS Fee Hike Endangers Little League Football Teams

(Memphis) There’s no doubt about it, many boys like football, and 12-year-old Malik Estridge will tell you it’s his life, “Football is for me, I was made to play football,” said Estridge.

Imagine how he felt when it was time to start the season again and he learned there’s no place to play.

The field his league has used for years is owned by Memphis City Schools and leased to the league.

It’s suddenly off-limits, as the school system wants more than triple the current rent payment for the team to keep playing there.

“We have added a concession stand, press box, score board, even the grass on the field belongs to us,” said Coach Darren Harrison.

It’s not just one team, thousands of students are affected. Many of them showed up at a town hall meeting, hosted by school board member, Kenneth Whalum.

A representative from Memphis City Schools tells News Channel 3 the rate hike is a work in progress, not a done deal. A spokeswoman says she is sure a compromise will be reached.

Board member Whalum said he would do all he could to help.

“It is an investment in the children, I don’t think they should have to pay a dime”, said Whalum. “I have no idea why it was raised.”