The city of Memphis and Shelby County "could have to pay the Grizzlies for a shortfall in attendance this season or risk the team terminating its lease agreement with FedExForum," according to Evan Barnes of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. A provision of the agreement that kicked in this season says that if the season is "deemed a shortfall, Memphis and Shelby County will have to purchase 'the required number of Suites and or season tickets to cure the Regular Seat Shortfall, the Suite Shortfall and/or the Club Seat Shortfall' within 60 days of being notified by the Grizzlies after the season concludes." The contract states that a shortfall season is "defined as any NBA regular season after the team's 15th at the Forum 'in which the (i) average paid attendance (for home games) is less than 14,900.'" This season is the Grizzlies' 16th at FedExForum. An ESPN report said that the team "averaged 15,857 fans in announced attendance this season," but Barnes noted paid attendance is "generally lower than what's reported" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 6/24).
