Hoops, We Did It Again
To the Editor:
Why do so many of us feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog
Day? Despite a list of failed pro sports ventures longer than the personal
bankruptcy filings in West Tennessee, we get up every morning and the same
politicians and civic boosters (who earn 10 times the average local wage) are
telling us we can easily afford $1,600 season tickets to watch one of the
worst teams in pro sports. They are “excited” about the opportunity
to cough up $200 million of our money to build a new arena for a
multimillionaire owner. Everyone will respect us more, we’re told (just as
Vancouver is so highly respected now?).
If we’re lucky, Groundhog Day will soon be over and,
miraculously, viable life will resume in Memphis without these latest sports
mercenaries.
Richard Massey, Memphis
To the Editor:
I just read the very informative March 7th article (“Hoop
Dreams”) concerning the NBA. Now I have an idea of who’s really for the
Grizzlies coming here and who’s against it.
John Calipari echoes my opinion concerning the relocation, and I
especially appreciated his candor. He knows it could damage his endorsement
opportunities here but feels the potential for improved recruiting at U of M
outweighs any personal financial benefits. Even though the Grizzlies are a
pretty bad team, their arrival would put this city on the national sports
scene. The Jazz were garbage when they left New Orleans for Salt Lake City in
the early 1980s, and the then-Oilers were mediocre when they left Houston for
Nashville four years ago.
R.C. Johnson’s comments pretty much show what side of the fence
he’s on: “As the [U of M] athletic director, I have absolutely no desire
to have any major-league sports team here.” I respect his honesty, but I
vehemently disagree with his statement. The U of M Tigers are the dominant
force in the Memphis sports scene, but Johnson’s regarding Memphis as his
sports fiefdom is in line with the provincial thinking that has stalemated
this city while Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville have expanded.
Memphis also needs to go ahead and start planning the financing
for a new arena. The Pyramid has long been obsolete by NBA standards. For
financing, I would propose the city, county, state, and corporate communities
split the costs four ways over the course of several years. The two local
governments could impose a special lodging tax on hotels and motels so
tourists would feel more of the brunt than the taxpayers living here.
The arrival of the Grizzlies could really be a source of civic
pride, something that finally transcends the racial and class barriers we
Memphians seem to enjoy imposing on ourselves and each other.
Derrek Paulk, Memphis
Lottery Lover
To the Editor:
I moved to Minnesota four years ago. There is a lottery here and
every year I have been here the state has had an extremely large surplus. I
disagree with the way a lot of Memphians want to point out the negatives and
fail to mention the positives of a state lottery. Minnesota’s elected
officials run their state much better than their counterparts in Tennessee,
and it shows in the quality of life here. Tennessee should look to other
states that are doing well for solutions to its revenue problems.
Stan Fogg, Minneapolis, MN
Bad Taste?
To the Editor:
I was disappointed with the February 22nd issue’s “Fly On
the Wall” featuring Brimhall Foods’ new product line targeting the
growing Latino population of Memphis. Chris Davis mused: “It is not known
if Brims will develop a line of fried chicken or watermelon-based products
aimed at Memphis’ burgeoning African-American community.”
I wonder what prompted this reporter to pen such a line. I know
Mr. Brimhall and have some experience working with his staff. I cannot imagine
why a responsible reporter would cast aspersions on this man and his company,
which produces quality products and employs many Memphians.
This is a gratuitous misuse of the First Amendment freedoms
granted to all citizens and explicitly to the press. Unspoken in the grant of
such freedom is the responsibility to use it judiciously and without malice. I
believe that Davis and the editorial department of the Flyer have
failed their community and their profession and caused unnecessary harm to
this man, his business, and to all the employees of Brimhall Foods.
Richard Mumm, Cordova
The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to:
Letters to the Editor, POB 1738, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-
9405. Or send us e-mail at letters@memphisflyer.com. All
responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should
be no longer than 250 words.
