Uniting Memphis through the Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies basketball team has been a significantly positive organization for the city of Memphis. The charity work done by the players as well as the money that comes into the city due to the organization has been extremely helpful for the city. I believe that the less measurable but more important result of the team is how it has united the city of Memphis and its residents to come together and cheer for something. As divided as the city of Memphis is both financially and racially, the Grizzlies are something that bring people of all backgrounds together.

Last year, ESPN Magazine named the Memphis Grizzlies the Best Overall Professional Sports Franchise in North America. This is not due to wins or losses or how much revenue the team brings in, but instead focuses on the impact that the organization has had on the community. “The overall ranking measures how much the organization gives back to fans for the time, money and emotion invested in its product” (NBA).  The Memphis Grizzlies organization has been a remarkable help in the city. Players spend their time giving back to this community by donating money to charities or by volunteering at places that need help. Also, the team’s style of play pays homage to and is symbolic of the blue-collar atmosphere of the city and the work ethic of its citizens. The stream of revenue that the team does bring into the city is also useful.

Coming to school in Memphis, I had noticed that people from all over the city were extremely supportive of the Grizzlies. After experiencing this for the past three years, I have understood why this was the case. The organization exemplifies what the city is about. They provide a lot of assistance to the community and have been a rallying point that the usually divided residents of Memphis can support united as a city. While there continues to be a division between the people of Memphis, the Grizzlies organization has been very helpful in trying to establish a bond of unity.