As adolescents we all learned about the birds and the bees -- but Memphis will soon have a chance to learn about the bears and the bees.
What do we need to know about these two animals, and how can they benefit our city?
One thing that we do know is that after many years of being a wallflower, Memphis has finally been asked to dance -- not by one, but two NBA suitors -- the Charlotte Hornets and the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Hornets and grizzlies are two very different species -- could they survive in the heat of Memphis?
Would the new NBA teams create attendance problems for The University of Memphis men's basketball team?
A look at other NBA cities with college teams showsthis might not be a problem.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University draw 15,000 and 11,000 fans respectively, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Golden Gophers draw 16,000 and 13,000 fans per season.
The U of M averaged over 16,000 fans this season, which ranked them near the top 10.
The new team would have to play their first two seasons in The Pyramid, which has Pinch District businesses excited about the opportunity.
Nick Wilson, employee of The North End, said he is excited about the team moving here and the possible business the team will bring.
Ryan Lay, manager of T.J. Mulligan's in the Pinch, said he is also looking forward to the potential business 42 home games would bring.
"I am excited, but I am anxious to see if the Memphis people turn out," Lay said. "Memphis isn't the wealthiest city, so unless those ticket prices come down, I don't think that it'll last very long."
Lay said they will probably plan several activities for each home game and televise all the road games, similar to the way they handle U of M home and away games.
Marketing to the city of Memphis will be an important part of the team's success.
Dr. Richard Irwin, associate professor of Human Movement Sciences, said the city will have to slowly adapt to the NBA.
"The obstacles could be existing brand loyalty to the Tigers and SEC teams," Irwin said. "There are no strong ties to the NBA here."
Irwin said the team might be successful if they could attract former Tiger players such as Penny Hardaway or Lorenzen Wright or former SEC players, but that the team would focus its marketing push on the corporate community.
Irwin added that the corporations aren't always so supportive though.
"When you watch a game on television, and you see empty seats at center court, those are corporate seats," Irwin said.
In reality, for an NBA team to thrive in this city, it will take the cooperation of all people in the community.
