News

Last minute Grizz tickets go on sale

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 10:32pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Grizzlies fans were excited to hear that they had another chance to get their hands on tickets to games three and four of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

Some fans showed up to the box office as soon as they heard a limited number of single game tickets were being released Friday.

"This is Memphis. This is the first time we went to the conference finals, so I'm going with, me and my nephew and it's going to be the best we can get," said Grizz fan Zachary Taylor, who was one of the first in line at noon. "I thought it was sold out but my sister, she called me and said online they were selling them at noon, so I was like 'Let me go on and get them.'"

Fans are hoping to see the Grizzlies hand the Spurs their first loss of the series.

"You can't really put a price on the Western Conference Finals," said Lewis Lyons.

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Club 152 given permission to reopen

Submitted by Jason Miles, Reporter

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 9:58pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - With a big weekend planned to include the Grizzlies game, Red Birds, and the Sunset Symphony taking place – it is no surprise the owners of Club 152 agreed to re-open under certain conditions.

A judge gave the club owners permission to open the doors Friday afternoon.

"I didn't have any money for my bills or anything," said server Amber Norris who is happy to be back at work.

She, and 100 other Club 152 employees, were temporarily out of work for a week following a raid by the Shelby County District Attorney who shut down then establishment.

Investigators charged former employee Frank Gilmore and two others with selling drugs inside the club following a months long investigation.

Gilmore was advised by his attorney not to talk.

An attorney representing the club said the actions of just a few employees penalized everyone.

Club 152 opened under the conditions set out in a settlement Friday morning.

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City mayors place BBQ bet on basketball teams

Submitted by Michael Clark on Friday, May 24th, 5:34 pm

The mayor of the city with the winning basketball team gets a taste of the other city's barbecue.

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Operation Grit, Grind, and Shine is in full force after the Memphis mayor declared Grizzlies Friday. In turn, the mayor of San Antonio issued a challenge to mayor A C Wharton.

Memphis barbecue and Grizzlies basketball continue as a source of pride for the people of Memphis. So much so that Wharton holds a confident bet he made with San Antonio mayor Julian Castro involving both.

The mayor of the city with the winning basketball team gets a taste of the other city's barbecue.

"We're going to win, take it all, he'll probably have to
send the whole BBQ joint over here," said Wharton.

Out of five tables of barbecue enthusiasts at Rendevous, all of them said Memphis would get the raw end of the bet – if the Grizzlies can pull it out.

"Memphis would be hurting if Texas won, because Memphis has the better brisket," said Todd Pastor.

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Memphis shows Grizz support

Submitted by Michael Clark on Friday, May 24th, 5:33 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - It is Grizzlies Friday, as proclaimed by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton. Many Memphians are getting into the spirit, wearing blue and gold as a showing of support.

All over the Bluff City, Grizzlies flags flew on cars. Blue and yellow can be found on just about everyone around town.

Mayor A C Wharton deemed it Grizzlies Friday, and even employers that you would not expect heard his message loud and clear.

"We're the official hospital of the Grizzlies. Normally as a hospital we wear specific kinds of attire and professional clothes but we said, 'You know, we're part of this team,'" said Marilynn Robinson, St. Francis Hospital.

St. Francis Hospital was not the only one whose employees were sporting Grizz gear.

Banners outside of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital were flew proudly.

The lobby of the famous Peabody Hotel had some grit and grind just above the swimming ducks.

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YOUR TURN: Family booted from hotel to make room for San Antonio Spurs

Submitted by Lee Meredith

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 3:46pm

MEMPHIS, TN- One Action News 5 story that really made people mad this week was the one about the Westin Hotel bouncing the family reunion with the long standing reservation in favor of the Spurs basketball team.

The family has been coming to Memphis for this reunion for six years and they made the hotel reservation last year. For our "Your Turn" segment, we chose a comment from Bob Benson. In his words:

"Now let me think this one through . . . NBA players who bring home checks in the $180,000 range every 2 weeks trying to find lodging with their unlimited resources versus a regular working family who made arrangements well in advance to spend some of their limited resources and time in our city hoping to have fun in our city reuniting with family. If I were a hotel manager, you can bet I would be capitalizing on this PR opportunity by giving the whole group free rooms."

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Memphian Kris Thomas set to sing at Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals

Submitted by Andrew Douglas on Friday, May 24th, 9:15 am

Fresh off making into the Top 10 on NBC's The Voice, Kris Thomas will be singing the National Anthem when the Memphis Grizzlies host the San Antonio Spurs for Game 3 Saturday. He confirmed the news to Action News 5 Friday morning. Tipoff for Game 3 is set for 8pm Saturday May 25th

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Look inside the making of the 'Growl Towels'

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 9:02pm

(WMC-TV) - Growl Towels are a symbol of Grizz Nation, and are seen waving on televisions across the county.

The makers of the iconic towels work out of Nashville. "Something Inked" said it is an amazing feeling to watch their creation on national television.

More importantly, the printing company's president, Oliver Landry said he is stunned watching thousands of fans in the FedExForum wave their flag in person.

He is proud to be part of Memphis and the Grizzlies and said their business has a lot in common.

"Its been great, we've had our ups and downs, we've gritted and grinded through it just like the Grizzlies have," said Landry.

The creators said there are just a few secrets behind making the growl towels, but they cannot share them.

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