Memphis this season averaged 4,583 fans over 19 home games based on its turnstile countUNIV. OF MEMPHIS
The Univ. of Memphis athletic department “missed out entirely on an $800,000 payment” from the Grizzlies “due to poor attendance at men’s basketball games this past season," according to Mark Giannotto of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. It is the “first time since Memphis began playing its home games at FedExForum” in ’04 that the school “did not receive any money from the Grizzlies as part of its lease agreement.” Memphis earns an $800,000 payment from the Grizzlies if it "averages more than 10,000 fans.” If Memphis averages between 6,000 and 10,000, the school "receives a reduced payment in proportion to the shortfall,” but if attendance is below 6,000, the school “gets no money from the Grizzlies.” Memphis averaged 4,583 fans over 19 home games based on its turnstile count, which measures the number of fans who physically attended each game. If the average turnstile count is below 6,000 for two consecutive seasons, the Grizzlies "have the option to terminate the school’s lease.” Announced attendance at Memphis home games “hit a 48-year low this past season and decreasing fan support for the men’s basketball team was a major factor" in the decision to fire coach Tubby Smith after only two years on the job. The “average announced attendance this season was 6,225, which represented a drop" of more than 60% from four years ago (COMMERCIALAPPEAL.com, 4/8).
