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On September 6, 2004, the doors of FedExForum swung open to the public for the first time, and over 30,000 Memphians came streaming through to get their first glimpse of what would soon come to be

2 FedExForum was designed to blend seamlessly into the Beale Street Entertainment District. FedExForum: Memphis New Front Porch It took three years, 250 million dollars, and in true Memphis fashion, a lot of soul. On September 6, 2004, the doors of FedExForum swung open to the public for the first time, and over 30,000 Memphians came streaming through to get their first glimpse of what would soon come to be known as the best arena in the NBA. And while the first year of operation was hugely successful, FedExForum is more than just an arena. It has achieved the goal set by Grizzlies management and community leaders and become a new front porch for Memphis, a place where people can come together. The first official event at FedExForum, a concert by R&B superstar Usher, was a sellout. Another sellout crowd of 18,119 packed FedExForum November 3 for the Grizzlies opener in the new arena. And they kept coming night in and night out. The Grizzlies finished their inaugural season with 18 sellouts, more than the first three seasons in Memphis combined. While the Grizzlies were setting franchise attendance records, the arena stayed busy with numerous successful events throughout the year. The University of Memphis men s basketball team played to large crowds every night and energized the city with a run to the final of the Conference USA Tournament, which was held in FedExForum. Like Usher, country music superstar Kenny Chesney played before a sellout crowd. The arena also saw concerts by such chart-topping acts as Destiny s Child, Alan Jackson and Ludacris, championship boxing matches featuring Roy Jones, Jr., Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, monster trucks events, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus and dozens of other events, acts and shows. So what is it about FedExForum that has the city, the NBA and fans buzzing? Recording legend Elton John will grace the stage at FedExForum on November 4. An experience at FedExForum is unlike any other. There are five seating levels in the arena, with wide concourses making navigating the building easy. There are over 100 points of sale for concession stands, meaning expedited service. There are four full-service restaurants, with three offering service to Premium Seat Holders: Opus, a fine dining restaurant overlooking the court, Blue Note Lounge, where fans can get a cocktail and a light meal before or during the game, the Backstage Restaurant, where fans can watch the Grizzlies run onto the court from the locker room, and one open to all fans just off the Grand Lobby: Jack Daniel s Old No. 7 Sports Bar, a fun pre-game meeting place with patio seating. Fans can also enjoy a meal outside in the fresh air at Ledbetter Landing. 258

All of the food in FedExForum is provided by Levy Restaurants, the leader in sports and entertainment venue dining and fans experience selection and quality beyond anything they ve ever had at a

Whether it s a Memphis favorite such as Neely s Barbecue, something more exotic, like sushi, or traditional fare like hamburgers, every fan can find something to satisfy their appetite.

3 All of the food in FedExForum is provided by Levy Restaurants, the leader in sports and entertainment venue dining and fans experience selection and quality beyond anything they ve ever had at a sporting event. Whether it s a Memphis favorite such as Neely s Barbecue, something more exotic, like sushi, or traditional fare like hamburgers, every fan can find something to satisfy their appetite. Once in their seats, the first thing fans notice is the massive videoboard. Designed by Daktronics, the center-hung scoreboard provides fans with live video, instant replays and information on ten large digital full-color displays, including four dedicated scoring sections. The scoreboard is one of the biggest in the NBA, measuring approximately 22 feet high by 38 feet in diameter. The unique design of the main center-hung scoreboard includes two 360-degree full-color rings of LED on the top and bottom of the scoreboard. Four additional video displays, in vertical configuration, flank the main video screens and dedicated scoring sections. To complement the center-hung video and scoring displays, additional LED displays are prominently featured around the seating bowl. One 360-degree ring of light encircles the entire seating bowl, mounted on the Terrace Level fascia. A second large display curves 270 degrees around the Club Level fascia. The four LED rings comprise the largest amount of linear feet of LED in any arena in the United States. Last year, leading into the opening of FedExForum, the Grizzlies created a wildly successful new brand and colors that saw fans purchase team apparel in record numbers. Before, during and after games, fans can buy the latest merchandise and Grizzlies The Rolling Stones will bring their gear in the Grizzlies Den team store, located in the A Bigger Bang World Tour to FedExForum on December 3. Grand Lobby and at several boutique stores throughout FedExForum. The store is also open from 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday Friday and 10 a.m. 5 p.m. on Saturday, or can be reached by phone at (901) One of the most unique features of FedExForum is the music theme that is prevalent throughout the arena. Luxury Suite holders have their name engraved on a record outside their suite, and lyric sheets from famous Memphis songs appear prominently on FEDEXFORUM The Grizzlies tipped-off the FedExForum opener against the Washington Wizards on November 3,

Gospel, Memphis Music Today and more. FedExForum is also home to the Rock n Soul Museum on the ground floor of the administration building.

The Rock n Soul museum is one of only two Smithsonian Institution exhibits not located in Washington, D.C.

4 the walls. Concessions and restaurants are named with uniquely Memphis music themes and areas of the arena concourses are divided into sponsored zones highlighting musical genres like Rock n Roll, the Blues, Gospel, Memphis Music Today and more. FedExForum is also home to the Rock n Soul Museum on the ground floor of the administration building. The Rock n Soul Museum traces the roots of rock and roll and soul music in Memphis, offering visitors a self-guided tour of Memphis music from the early 20th century into the 70s. The Rock n Soul museum is one of only two Smithsonian Institution exhibits not located in Washington, D.C. FedExForum set a new standard for arenas in the NBA and surpassed all expectations in its first year of operation. But in addition to all the impressive numbers, it achieved something even more significant: it became Memphis new front porch. Roy Jones Jr. and Glen Johnson squared off in a championship fight in September Platinum-selling rapper Jay-Z brought his Best of Both Worlds Tour to FedExForum in the fall of In their first year of play at FedExForum, the University of Memphis men s basketball team advanced to the final of the Conference USA tournament. 260

The Grizzlies set a franchise record with 18 sellouts during the 2004-05 season. FedExForum/Media FAQs: 1. Where is the media entrance located?

5 The Grizzlies set a franchise record with 18 sellouts during the season. FedExForum/Media FAQs: 1. Where is the media entrance located? Media should enter the building on the Southeast corner of Fourth Street and Linden Avenue (Media/Staff Entrance). All bags will be subject to search upon entry into FedExForum. 6. Where are the media dining room and work rooms located? Event Level Southeast. Press can take the elevator from the Media Entrance to the Event level which opens directly into the Don Poier Media Center. 2. Where do I pick up my credentials? Media can pick up credentials at the Media Entrance on the Southeast corner of Fourth Street & Linden Ave. 3. Where is the media parking? Media Parking is available in the FedExForum surface lot located on Linden Avenue between Third and Fourth Street. 7. Where is the media seating? Two rows, south side center court, plus auxiliary seating on the Plaza Level, East side. 8. Where do satellite trucks park? Satellite trucks can park in our surface lot to the South of the garage. The surface lot is located on Linden between Third & Fourth Street. FEDEXFORUM 4. Where do I enter for the practice facility? Media can enter through the Staff/Media Entrance at Fourth and Linden. 5. Where are the locker rooms located? All locker rooms are located on the Event Level with the Media Suite strategically located on the East side between all the locker rooms. Memphis Grizzlies Southeast Visiting Team Northeast 9. Where will press conferences be held? In the press conference room located in the Don Poier Media Center. 261

FedExForum: By the Numbers 14 Stories, from the playing floor to the top of the roof 102 Number of miles of sidewalk you could build with the

1000 Number of doors in FedExForum 14,000 Approximate square footage of the Grizzlies locker room in FedExForum 18,119 Capacity for a Grizzlies

FedExForum s exterior wall 805,000 Approximate square footage of FedExForum Norah Jones brought her soulful sounds to FedExForum in 2005.

6 FedExForum: By the Numbers 14 Stories, from the playing floor to the top of the roof 102 Number of miles of sidewalk you could build with the concrete in FedExForum 105 Number of restroom facilities in FedExForum 675 Number of televisions in FedExForum 900 Number of rooms in FedExForum 1000 Number of doors in FedExForum 14,000 Approximate square footage of the Grizzlies locker room in FedExForum 18,119 Capacity for a Grizzlies game 36,000 Square footage of the exterior plaza 100,000 Number of bolts used in the structural steel 230,000 Number of bricks used to build FedExForum s exterior wall 805,000 Approximate square footage of FedExForum Norah Jones brought her soulful sounds to FedExForum in The FedExForum Plaza hosted a 40-foot Christmas tree during the holiday season. FedExForum hosted a wide variety of events in its first year, including the Monster Jam. 262

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7744_ qxd 10/31/06 2:04 PM Page 265 FEDEXFORUM FedExForum was designed to blend seamlessly into the Beale Street Entertainment District. FedExForum: Memphis New Front Porch The $250 million dollar FedExForum opened on time and on budget in September