(06-05-2015 08:33 AM)MemTiger90 Wrote:  

(06-05-2015 05:59 AM)TigerNK Wrote:  Memphis has never had a major league franchise, so the comparison is extremely weak at best. The Grizz had a rough first 8 or so years, but the franchise finally embraced the city and the city returned the favor. The Grizz are ingrained into the culture of this city, and that extends beyond just winning basketball games.

When I grew up, the legends of Memphis hoops were Finch, Lee and Hardaway. Now it is ZBo and TA. Gasol is all-NBA for goodness sake. After his Game 2 performance, Conley is starting to make his own case. I'm fairly certain this front office knows that Gasol and Conley are the future of this team, and they will build it accordingly to avoid that drop off many are expecting. It's going to sting, but TA and Zbo likely won't be here forever.

All I'm saying is that everything that is being said, including your comments about being ingrained in the city, etc, has been said for decades.....about the Tigers. Having a sports team that brings everyone in this city together isn't anything new. And let's be serious, the city did not embrace the Grizz when the Grizz "decided to embrace the city." The city embraced the Grizz when the Grizz started to....win. I know of plenty of people in the hippie and hipster group that 5 years ago didn't know what a basketball was. And quite frankly, still don't. But the Grizz are winning so they're all of the sudden HUGE Grizz supporters. Now, if the Grizzlies avoid the drop off and continue to win, while the Tigers continue to slip, then no doubt that will hurt the Tigers future. The younger fans will buy Grizz season tickets every year and not Tigers' tickets. But if the Grizzlies go back to being a 20-30 win team and make the playoffs every 3-4 years, and the Tigers get their act together and start winning, while getting big name teams back here again, then let's be real. THAT will be the hot ticket once again, and the Tigers will be the ones keeping the Forum operating like they did for almost a decade. I personally don't like the Grizz vs Tigers debate. But I know reality and know this city. Yes, we have had "major league" teams here before. We've had pro franchises of both basketball and football. And those leagues were pretty much neck and neck popularity wise with what we now know as the true powerhouses, the NBA and NFL. And who lasted? The Tigers. So me being a betting man, I'll go with that bet again. I could be wrong, but I've got the odds..

Now, cue K2 to inform me how unbelievably clueless I am.

We've had major league franchise for over a decade before? I don't recall any. The comparison to the Grizz is frankly weak IMO.

The Grizz, similar to the Tigers, will probably have weaker attendance if the team isn't doing well. However, cheaper and attainable tickets and a growing younger fanbase may surprise many folks in relation to dip in attendance.