Grizzlies fans are responding to the team's 22-8 start "with unprecedented support and enthusiasm," according to Zack McMillin of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Tonight's game against the Spurs "is expected to be the sixth sellout of season ... and the average home attendance, determined strictly as tickets sold, is more than 17,200 for a building with capacity of 18,119." The franchise’s "most successful previous season in Memphis, as measured by attendance, was in the inaugural year of FedExForum" in '04-05 when the team sold out 18 games -- seven by the New Year -- and a "final average attendance of 16,862." Grizzlies President of Business Operations Jason Wexler said the team's brand has “infiltrated the marketplace." Local TV ratings are up nearly 30% from last season, "including the best-ever local rating for a Grizzlies game, a 6.4, when they hosted" the Bulls on Dec. 19. McMillin noted the team's "unrelenting focus has been on constant enhancements to the overall 'game experience.'" One of the season’s non-sellouts, a "family-friendly Friday night game" against the Hornets, "set records in other ways -- the most revenue, per fan, for food and beverages and for souvenir sales." The momentum "should continue to build on the business side." Grizzlies VP/Ticket Sales & Service Dennis O'Connor said that the franchise had "enormous pre-Christmas success with seven-game ticket packages" -- a 600% increase over last season." McMillin noted there also is the "traditional spike in interest the team gets every year as the college and pro football seasons" wrap up (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/29).
