Good morning, Memphis! Happy Wednesday!
Lots of news to cover today:
The Grizzlies finally traded Ja Morant
City Hall Cabinet Shakeup
a Midtowner just became a Jeopardy legend
Where to watch the USA World Cup games tonight
… a meatball eating contest?
Let’s get to it.
Ja Morant is a Blazer now. It’s fine. We’re fine.
Image via Fullcourtpass on X
The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers on June 30, completing a full teardown of the franchis'e’s young core that looked like the future faces of the NBA.
This one stings a lot, but no matter how it ended, here's the thing: we got to watch one of the most electric players in the NBA grow up in Memphis.
The highlight reels are genuinely absurd. The dunks alone are worth a rewatch.
The Grizzlies put out a tribute video that'll either make you feel good about the whole thing or send you into a spiral, depending on your disposition.
The rebuild is in full swing. No sugarcoating it. But Memphis has done this before, and the next era starts today.
P.S. The Grizzlies Store is running a July 4 Sale this weekend. Get some grizz gear at great prices while it lasts!
Mayor Young Cleans House at City Call
Less than one week after Memphis ranked performed really badly on the Milken Best-Performing Cities Index**, Memphis Mayor Paul Young replaced his COO, CFO, and City Engineer.
Here’s the new crew:
Chris Winton (COO) brings 25 years across FedEx, Tesla, and Comcast.
Art Davis (CFO) ran $85M+ in construction projects at Memphis River Parks Partnership and previously served as the city's Deputy CFO.
Greg Dotson steps in as Interim City Engineer, coming from Gresham Smith's West Tennessee transportation practice.
John Zeanah, Chief of Development & Infrastructure, is out, but staying on as a consultant.
** Placing 205 out of 206 cities is a hard number to ignore. Whether the new hires move the needle is the question worth watching.
Midtown Man Goes on a Jeopardy Tear
Adam Remsen — Memphis attorney, theater producer, Midtown resident — just won 12 straight games of Jeopardy and $306,415 before finally losing on June 30.
Crazy fact: He had actually been selected for the show over two decades ago and couldn't go due to a scheduling conflict.
So after nearly 30 years of preparing by drilling opera, 19th-century presidents, European monarchs, and rivers (a very specific flex) - he came back to go on one of the longer win streaks the show has seen.
He said the winnings will fund his son's college tuition, some travel plans, and home repairs on his century-old Midtown house.
The Redbirds are Hosting an Eating Contest Against Joey Chestnut
This is real. This is happening.
This weekend (July 2, 3, and 4) the Redbirds are hosting three postgame eating contests at AutoZone Park.
Pizza Eating Contest on Thursday, July 2
Slider Eating Contest on Friday, July 3
Meatball Eating Contest on Saturday, July 4
Winners of all three events will face off against Legendary Professional Eater Joey Chestnut on July 18.
Yes, THAT Joey Chestnut. The man who once ate 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes (or more impressively, 103 Krystal burgers in 8 minutes). He has won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 17 times.
Before the end of July, someone from Memphis is going to shake that man's hand and then sit across from him in an contest. Unfortunately, that somebody will not be me.
Participants must register in advance. Two Redbirds game tickets are included with registration. Register here.
World Cup Watch Parties Tonight Around the 901
The USMNT is facing off tonight at 7:00PM against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32.
If you're looking for a place to catch the match with a crowd, Memphis has plenty of great options. Plus, the atmosphere is electric! Here is where you can watch the action:
Celtic Crossing — 903 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
The Brass Door — 152 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Nashoba — 120 S Rowlett St, Collierville, TN 38017
Bog and Barley — 5013 Sanderlin Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
Max's Sports Bar — 115 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Dog and Bone — 2110 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Soul and Spirits Brewery — 845 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38107
Brookhaven Pub & Grill — 695 W Brookhaven Cir, Memphis, TN 38117
Birdie's Sports Bar — 1332 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Bardog Tavern — 73 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Slider Inn — 367 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103
Coopers — 968 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
Fun fact: Bosnia and Herzegovina is not two different places playing for the same team, but the name of one country that is made up of two regions.
In Other News…
Coletta's: The restaurant on Appling Rd is closing after 28 years. A Memphis institution. Pour one out.
Germantown: Mayor Mike Palazzolo announced he won't seek re-election. End of an era in the burbs.
Arlington HS: The school just unveiled a new indoor football complex. Arlington doing Arlington things.
Tennis: Women's professional tennis is coming to Memphis. Details TK but worth keeping an eye on.
Quail Ridge Golf Course: Progress is being made on the Bartlett course renovation if you want to see where things stand.
Sweeney Todd: Playhouse on the Square is running Sweeney Todd. If you like musicals about murderous barbers, this is your week. → playhouseonthesquare.org
Topps BBQ: The Rhodes Ave location is back open after 18 months. Welcome home.
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That's your Wednesday, Memphis. See you tomorrow.
— 901 Today