FedExForum
FedExForum is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the home of the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Memphis, both of whom previously played home games at the Memphis Pyramid. The venue also has the capability of hosting ice hockey games, concerts, and family shows.
The Grindhouse | |
FedExForum in 2022 | |
FedExForum Location in Tennessee FedExForum Location in the United States | |
| Address | 191 Beale Street |
|---|---|
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35°8′18″N 90°3′2″W |
| Public transit | Main Street Line at Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue |
| Owner | City of Memphis |
| Operator | Memphis Basketball, LLC |
| Capacity | Basketball: 17,794 Ice hockey: 16,411 Concert: 19,000 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 20, 2002 |
| Opened | September 6, 2004 |
| Construction cost | US$250 million ($387 million in 2022 dollars) |
| Architect | Ellerbe Becket Looney Ricks Kiss Jackson Person & Associates, Inc. Self Tucker Architects Inc. |
| Project manager | PC Sports |
| Structural engineer | ABS-EQE Structural Engineers |
| General contractor | M.A. Mortenson Company |
| Tenants | |
| Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (2004–present) Memphis Tigers (NCAA) (2004–present) Conference USA men's basketball tournament (2005–2009, 2012) American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament (2014, 2019) | |
The arena officially opened in September 2004 after much debate and also a derecho wind storm on July 22, 2003, that nearly brought down the cranes that were building it near the famed Beale Street. It was built at a cost of US$250 million and is owned by the City of Memphis; naming rights were purchased by one of Memphis's best-known businesses, FedEx, for $92 million. FedExForum was financed using $250 million of public bonds, which were issued by the Memphis Public Building Authority (PBA).