The Memphis Grizzlies are picking up where the Memphis Redbirds left off with a partnership with the University of Memphis’ Bureau of Sport and Leisure Commerce that will make 12 of the department’s sports marketing students members of the team’s ticket sales staff.
The partnership got under way last week with seven graduate and five undergraduate students.
The program was started by Richard Irwin, director of the Bureau of Sport and Leisure Commerce, and Kerry Sewell, former Memphis Redbirds’ vice president of marketing. In 2005, the university assisted with similar off-site ticket sales for the Redbirds. The partnership taught students how to interact with clients and close deals. Once the three-year deal expired, the Grizzlies stepped up for their own partnership with the school, with a few changes.
Irwin says where students sold for the Redbirds on the University of Memphis campus, current students will spend one or two days a week at FedExForum being mentored by the Grizzlies’ 20-person sales staff. The students will also be able to interact with NBA sales staff who occasionally come to Memphis.
