NBA Considers Relocating Some Grizzlies Games to Nashville: What It Means for the Team and Fans

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has reiterated the league’s commitment to keeping the Memphis Grizzlies in their current home even as expressing openness to the idea of hosting occasional regular-season games in Nashville, Tennessee.

Speaking on the Barstool Sports podcast “Pardon My Grab,” Silver acknowledged that Grizzlies governor Robert Pera has consistently stated he has “no interest in moving the team out of Memphis.” However, Silver added that he personally would welcome a stronger presence for the franchise across the state.

“Nashville is a city on the rise,” Silver said during the interview. “There’s incredible things happening there. If it were up to me, I’d love for them to play a few games a year in Nashville and sort of be Tennessee’s team to the extent they can.”

The comments come amid renewed discussion about the Grizzlies’ long-term future, sparked in part by recent remarks from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. While golfing on the “Bob Does Sports” YouTube show earlier in April, James criticized the experience of playing in Memphis, suggesting the team should relocate to Nashville due to its more established professional sports landscape.

“Staying at the f—ing Hyatt at 41 years old, you think I want to do that s—?” James said. “Being in Memphis on a random-a– Thursday. I’m not even the first guy to talk about this in the NBA. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move.’ Go over to Nashville… They got everything.”

James pointed to the presence of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the NHL’s Nashville Predators as evidence of the city’s capacity to support major league franchises. He argued that Nashville offers a more ingrained sporting culture compared to Memphis.

Silver countered James’ stance by noting his own conversations with players have yielded a different perspective. While he did not specify which players or what exactly they shared, the commissioner emphasized that feedback from those who have played in Memphis has been more positive than James’ characterization suggests.

The idea of hosting neutral-site or “home” games in alternative markets is not unprecedented in the NBA. The league has previously sanctioned special events such as the annual NBA Africa Game and has allowed teams to play select regular-season games in cities like Las Vegas and Mexico City to grow regional fan bases.

For the Grizzlies, playing occasional games in Nashville could serve as a strategic effort to increase visibility across Tennessee without altering the team’s official home base. Memphis remains the franchise’s anchor city, where the Grizzlies play at FedExForum and maintain their headquarters, training facilities and front office operations.

As of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Grizzlies continue to compete in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team has not announced any plans to schedule games in Nashville for the upcoming season, and any such arrangement would require coordination between the league, the Grizzlies organization, and local authorities in Nashville.

No official venue has been identified for potential games, though Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena — home of the Predators — would be a logical candidate given its NBA-ready configuration and experience hosting major events.

The Grizzlies have not issued a public statement in response to Silver’s comments or James’ remarks. Similarly, the NBA has not released further details about the feasibility, frequency, or timeline for any potential Nashville games.

For now, the franchise remains focused on its current season, with players and coaches directing their attention toward on-court performance and playoff positioning.

Archysport will continue to monitor developments regarding the Grizzlies’ market presence and any official announcements related to potential neutral-site games.

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