Buy Memphis Grizzlies Tickets Now!

Stadium:
FedEx Forum
FedExForum is one of the most unique arenas in the NBA. It officially opened in September of 2004, after much debate and also an alberta clipper wind storm in July 2003 that nearly brought the cranes building the arena down on famed Beale street. It is in the southern part of downtown Memphis, Tennessee at 191 Beale Street and Third Street. It is the home of the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association and the men's basketball program of the University of Memphis (the Tigers). They both previously played home games at the Pyramid Arena. The arena was built at a cost of $250 million and is owned by the City of Memphis; naming rights were purchased by Memphis' most well-known business, FedEx. FedExForum was financed using $250 million dollars of public bonds, which where issued by the Memphis Public building Authority (PBA) The venue also has the capability of hosting ice hockey games, concerts, and family shows.

Seating Chart:
FedEx Forum Seating Chart

Team History:
The Vancouver Grizzlies along with the Toronto Raptors became expansion NBA franchises in 1995. Both teams were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since 1946-47's Toronto Huskies. The Grizzlies were initially composed of players taken from other teams via an expansion draft and the Grizzlies' first draft pick, Bryant Reeves. Although they won their first home game in franchise history, the Grizzlies finished with the worst win/loss record in the 1995-96 NBA season, as is typical for an expansion team, and lost 23 straight games from February to April (setting an NBA single-season record now shared with the Denver Nuggets; the overall record of 24 is still held by the Cleveland Cavaliers). In 1996, the Grizzlies drafted Shareef Abdur-Rahim as the 3rd overall pick. However, the Grizzlies continued to struggle and finished with the worst record in the league. In 1997, the Grizzlies drafted Antonio Daniels with the 4th pick. The team saw some improvement as it finished in 6th place. The Grizzlies were back in last place after the 1998-99 season, however, despite drafting guard Mike Bibby with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft during the offseason. In the lockout-shortened season that followed, the Grizzlies would only win 8 games. After the NBA lockout, the attendance at Grizzlies games began to drop, and the team's owners, OrcaBay (who also owned the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL) began to lose money. An initial sale of the team to Bill Laurie, (who at that time owned the St. Louis Blues of the NHL) was denied by the NBA as Mr. Laurie openly stated that he would move the team. Businessman Michael Heisley then bought the team in 2000 with a promise to stay in Vancouver. Although there was a surge in fan support, a few months into the next season it become apparent that the franchise had only been purchased to be moved. The team considered New Orleans, St. Louis, Louisville and Anaheim among others as the new home. The team eventually moved to Memphis, in 2001.

Season Preview:
The Grizzlies defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-76 in Summer League action Thursday. Tune in Friday as the Grizzlies take on the L.A. Clippers.

Official Site:
http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/