Sports Business

The Grizzlies have set franchise records for consecutive wins at home (11) and on the road (seven), and are trying to finish at .500 or above for the first time since the 2005-06 season — all signs the team is turning around its misfortunes of the last three seasons.

An indication that fans are buying into the team’s turnaround is increased viewership on its primary cable outlet — Fox Sports Tennessee.

The Grizzlies are averaging a 2.3 rating on FSTN, up 53 percent from last year’s 1.5, and 77 percent from two seasons ago when they averaged 1.3.

“The Grizzlies’ success on the court has translated into significant ratings growth on Fox Sports Tennessee,” said Jeff Genthner, the network’s senior vice president and general manager.

The Grizzlies have had seven games with a rating of 3.4 or higher. In the three previous season, the Grizzlies had a combined three games of 3.4 or higher, with the highest a 3.7 last season against the Los Angeles Lakers.

This season, the Grizzlies’ Feb. 1 victory over the Lakers drew a 5.2, their highest-ever cable rating.

“I’m very pleased, obviously. It’s not entirely unexpected,” said Randy Stephens, Grizzlies senior vice president of broadcast. “We expected the improved performance of the team would lead to higher numbers on television since it’s led to higher ticket sales, and just a general increase in enthusiasm for the team.”

Perhaps the most telling sign that fans are returning is the 3.2 rating for the March 8 telecast of the home game against New Jersey, which is trying to avoid posting the worst record in NBA history.

“They’re obviously not a marquee opponent,” Stephens said. “People were obviously tuning in to watch the Grizzlies, and that’s great for us.”

U of M seeks tourneys

Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, made no secret that he was disappointed with the crowds at last week’s Conference USA men’s tournament, held at Tulsa’s 17,839-seat BOK Center.

In the three games featuring host Tulsa, an average of 8,120 attended. During the championship game, which matched UTEP against Houston, there was an announced crowd of 8,476.

“We would really like to have seen 10,000, or 12,000 in here for the TU games,” Neal told the Tulsa World. “A lot of the fans, for whatever reason, just chose not to come.”

That’s one reason University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson is on a mission to return the event to FedExForum next year. During meetings at last week’s C-USA tournament, Johnson informed his colleagues that the U of M would be bidding on the 2010-11 event during the league’s May meetings. Johnson said he also expected UTEP, and possibly Houston, to submit bids.

“We are working very aggressively to bring it back here next year, both men and women, and use the combination of Elma Roane Fieldhouse and FedExForum,” Johnson said.

While the entire men’s tournament would be played at FedExForum, Johnson said the women’s tournament would be held mostly at the Fieldhouse, with the championship game in FedExForum.

– Marlon W. Morgan: 529-2792

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