EVERYONE IN FOR THE GRIZ
Season-ticket sales hit record highs for the first time since the Grizzlies moved to FedEx Forum.
Facility gets office upgrades for staff, high-definition TVs for fans.
The Grizzlies are growling at the box office.
For the first time since FedExForum opened in 2004, the franchise is enjoying record season-ticket sales.
Team business executives report that the Grizzlies’ 90 percent season-ticket renewal rate is its highest ever. The lower bowl is practically sold out; there are fewer than 20 seasonticket packages available on the Plaza and Club levels.
“We anticipate selling out the Club and Plaza through our partial plans by the start of the regular season,” vice president of tickets and sales Dennis O’Connor said. “That’s similar to where we were in Year One of FedExForum. We were in a similar sold-out situation in the Plaza and Club level.”
The Grizzlies have never
revealed their total season-ticket holder count. FedExForum opened in 2004 with more than 11,000 season-ticket equivalents, which includes partial-season plans that come in 15- and 22-game packages.
The Grizzlies’ status as an NBA championship contender has pushed the organization’s season-ticket equivalents to new levels, according to president of business operations Jason Wexler.
“We do have more than we ever had. It’s definitely ahead of 2004,” Wexler said of the team’s seasonticket equivalent total.
Only Terrace Level seats were available when the Griz began single-game ticket sales last Saturday. Partial and full-season ticket packages are the only way to ensure playoff tickets.
“Those are going to be a lot harder to get with our season-ticket base so high,” O’Connor said. “The playoffs have really driven our demand over the past couple of years.”
Signing center Marc Gasol to a five-year, $113 million contract during the offseason didn’t hurt, either. Gasol’s agreement to rejoin the Griz as a free agent immediately paid dividends.
“We started off really well when we started (season-ticket) renewals in January and February. It picked up a little bit in the playoffs. But when Marc re-signed, it just took off for us,” O’Connor said. “We had our best months ever in July and August. Those are usually slower months for us, but every day it kept getting better and better.”
The Griz reportedly garnered more new season-ticket sales during the past offseason than they did all of last season.
New construction and improved sponsorship relationships will also be evident. The Griz built basketball executive offices overlooking the practice court, which will be now known as the Built Ford Tough Training Center in FedExForum.
The coaching staff also will move into newly constructed offices in the arena and the space includes a state-of-the-art video room.
Also under construction is the FedEx Time Center. Plans call for FedEx to rebrand and refurbish the space, with a completion date set for early November.
Fans, however, will immediately notice the Grizzlies’ partnership with fantasy sports website Fan Duel because of signage and a dedicated seating section. FedExForum customers will also see new high-definition televisions throughout the arena.
“It enhances the experience of being at the arena. If you’re in line at concessions or going to the restroom, you’ll be able to watch our game in HD on a flat screen throughout the arena,” Wexler said. “We try to do something every year to improve the fan experience. We try to do something with the building. We try to do something with the food and beverage. It’s constant progress. The fans have come to expect that and they appreciate it.”