FedEx Forum

Home of the Memphis Grizzlies, the FedEx Forum is one of the newest arenas in the NBA. The Grizzlies have a short history as they became an expansion franchise in 1995 in Vancouver, Canada. The team spent six season in Vancouver, never having a winning season.

Their lack of success showed at games as few fans attended games. The team was bought by Michael Heisley in 2000 with the assumption that the team would stay in Vancouver. However after the 2000-01 season the team moved to Memphis. The Memphis Grizzlies played at the Pyramid for three seasons.

FACTS & FIGURES
-Opened: 11/3/2004
-Capacity: 18,165
-Tenants: Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
-Cost: $250 million
-Architect: Ellerbe Becket
-Address: 191 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
-Former Name(s): None

–Directions/Parking

A new state of the art arena was constructed in the southern area of downtown Memphis for the Grizzlies. FedEx Corporation, whose headquarters are in Memphis, purchased the naming rights to the arena, thus getting its name FedEx Forum. Built at a cost of $250 million, the arena was financed through public bonds by the Memphis Public Building Authority. Fans have many options for seating as the FedEx Forum has five levels of seating with just over 18,000 seats. It has 22 courtside suites, 32 club seats and 80 club boxes.

The arena was designed with a Memphis theme that shows the history of music throughout the concourses of the building. Themed areas through the concourses include the Radio and Recording Zone. Public art by local artists display paintings of the area’s music history. The FedEx Forum has many amenities including a team store, the Jack Daniels Grill that is a casual sports bar and a premium restaurant.

History of the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The team was founded in 1995 and was originally located in Vancouver, Canada, before moving to Memphis in 2001. The Grizzlies are a member of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and have a rich history that includes several successful seasons and playoff runs.

In the early years of the Grizzlies, the team struggled to find its footing and faced many challenges, including a lack of success on the court and financial difficulties. Despite these obstacles, the Grizzlies managed to build a strong foundation and establish themselves as a competitive team in the NBA.

In the early 2000s, the Grizzlies drafted several key players, including Pau Gasol and Mike Miller, who would go on to become franchise legends. The team also hired Hubie Brown as head coach, who brought a strong focus on defense and helped the team reach new levels of success. With this new talent and leadership in place, the Grizzlies made several playoff appearances in the early and mid-2000s.

The 2010s marked a new era for the Memphis Grizzlies, as the team became known for its tough, grind-it-out style of play and its commitment to defense. The team was led by stars such as Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol, and made several deep playoff runs, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.

In recent years, the Grizzlies have undergone a rebuilding process, led by talented young players such as Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas. Despite a period of transition, the team has continued to be competitive and has established itself as one of the up-and-coming teams in the NBA.

Throughout its history, the Memphis Grizzlies have been known for their blue-collar, hard-working mentality and their commitment to playing tough, physical basketball. The team has a rich tradition of success and a passionate fan base that supports the team through thick and thin.