The Memphis Pursuit Team pulled off the biggest victory of the year in 2001 landing the NBA Grizzlies in the Bluff City. That victory culminated the city’s two-generation quest for a major league sports franchise. And, the Pursuit Team’s efforts were not simply a matter of wooing a team. It was a matter of winning the favor of an entire league. It was crafting a plan to finance a $250 million arena and then selling the idea to skeptical politicians. It was all that and much, much more in what may have been world-record time for a major-league relocation. Leading the effort to secure local investors was Pursuit Team Captain J. R. “Pitt” Hyde. Other NBA Pursuit Team members included: Charles Ewing, Fred Jones, Barbara Hyde, Gayle Rose, Andy Cates and Staley Cates. Also, Barbara Hyde has figured prominently in integrating the team into the Memphis community, by linking Grizzlies players, coaches and officials to local charities and other community groups. On the corporate front, FedEx led the charge from day one. Critical to the effort was Alan Graf, FedEx CFO, Mike Glenn, VP, Marketing and Nancy Altenburg, Sports Marketing Manager. All involved agree the move would never have taken place wothout FedEx Corporation being ready and willing to purchase the naming right for the new arena.
