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Martin: Memphis is short on fanfare? There’s one way to get it back.

By , Daily Memphian Updated: October 09, 2025 4:45 PM CT | Published: October 09, 2025 7:39 AM CT
John Martin
Daily Memphian

John Martin

John Martin is a contributing college sports columnist for The Daily Memphian. Martin is a lifelong Memphian who’s covered the Memphis Tigers’ basketball program for more than a decade. Before joining The Daily Memphian team, he was the Memphis beat writer for The Athletic. Currently, he is the co-host of the Jason and John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN, weekdays at 11 a.m. Martin is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis.

So, Penny Hardaway wants to get the fans back in the building? Well, I’ve got just the way to do it.

It doesn’t involve getting players to stay for four years (basically, nobody can do that anymore). 

It doesn’t involve erasing crime in Downtown Memphis. 

It doesn’t involve more homegrown Tigers. 

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