Shelby County approved a plan to lease the underused Pyramid arena to Bass Pro Shops, which would convert the facility to the world’s largest sporting-goods store.Shelby County approved a plan to lease the underused Pyramid arena to Bass Pro Shops, which would convert the facility to the world’s largest sporting-goods store.
The proposed lease gives Bass Pro Shops 12 months to sign a long-term lease, paying $35,000 each month. If the sporting-goods giant backs out. there will be a $500,000 penalty. The plan is to turn the 32-story facility into a 150,000-square-foot store, complete with hotel.
The Pyramid was once home to the University of Memphis Tigers and the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), but it suffered after FedEx Forum opened on the other side of downtown. The last major event there was a February 2007 Bob Seger concert. It is a distinctive presence on the Memphis skyline: the arena indeed has a pyramid shape and benefits from a prime riverfront location.
