MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – On July 17, 2001, the NBA gave Memphis its first major league team.
League owners unanimously approved moving the struggling Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis, making it the NBA’s first franchise relocation in over 15 years.
The deal included local investors led by AutoZone founder J.R “Pitt” Hyde — who helped seal the deal.
NBA commissioner David Stern called it a “remarkable level of community support.”
The Grizzlies would temporarily play in the pyramid, bringing big-league basketball to Tennessee for the first time.
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