VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After six years of losing
hundreds of games on the court and millions of dollars at the bank,
the Grizzlies look ready to leave Vancouver – possibly as early as
next season.
NBA commissioner David Stern met with team owner Michael Heisley
in Washington on Monday and agreed that, considering the money the
team is losing, it's time to for the Grizzlies to find a new home.
"We've agreed to assist Mr. Heisley in exploring what other
North American cities might be appropriate for the Grizzlies to
relocate to," Stern said.
It didn't take long for potential U.S. homes to begin wooing the
Grizzlies.
New Orleans, which once lost the Jazz to Salt Lake City, was
first to show interest. Doug Thornton, general manager of the New
Orleans Arena, said officials plan to contact Heisley.
"Sources tell us that he is interested in relocating the
franchise, rather than selling it," Thornton said. "That's the
challenge of a professional sports franchise, securing ownership."
Other cities mentioned as potential destinations include St.
Louis, Las Vegas and Nashville. Last week, Heisley said he'd
already received interest from Louisville.
The Arrowhead Arena in Anaheim, Calif., also is a possible site
for relocation.
"We're paying very close attention to this. We continue to
believe this is the No. 1 choice for an NBA franchise with a desire
to relocate," arena general manager Tim Ryan told the Los Angeles
Times for Tuesday editions.
"We continue to believe there are tremendous financial
opportunities for any team that wants to relocate to Anaheim."
The Times also named San Diego as a potential site, although the
Southern California city – like Las Vegas and Louisville – doesn't
have a new arena.
The NHL Anaheim Mighty Ducks lease forces any NBA team moving
into the arena to split its revenue with the Ducks' team owner,
Walt Disney Co.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik has called Anaheim
"potentially a very successful market for us," the Times said.
Grizzlies players were cautious following practice Monday night.
Bryant Reeves, Vancouver's first-ever draft pick, said it would
"definitely be sad" to see the team leave.
"I like it here," said Reeves, the longest serving member of
the Grizzlies. "I have no complaints."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the Grizzlies' only legitimate star, said
Vancouver has been good to him, but he understands the situation.
"It's Mr. Heisley's business to run," said Abdur-Rahim, who
wants to be traded to a contender. "If he's losing the kind of
money that is being said, he's a businessman. He's not in the
business of losing money. I think everybody would have to admit
this is a tough market to sell basketball.
"He definitely has some good arguments (to move)."
Stern, Heisley and Granik met in a Washington hotel to discuss
the team's future following the All-Star weekend.
Calling the situation "intolerable," Stern said the team will
lose at least $40 million this year and even more next year.
"It's unfair to expect him to accept those kinds of loses,"
Stern said. "There is a certain economic threshold that people are
not going to pass and put themselves and their family in economic
risk just so they can chase a dream."
If the Grizzlies want to relocate by the start of next season,
the team must submit an application to the NBA by March 1.
The last NBA franchise to relocate was the Kings, who left
Kansas City in 1985 for Sacramento.
Heisley, who paid $160 million for the Grizzlies, has owned the
team for less than a year. He told the Vancouver Sun there is a
$200 million-plus offer from a party wishing to buy the team and
move it to a U.S. city.
Since joining the league in 1995, the Grizzlies are 91-336.
Despite never picking lower than sixth in the first round of the
draft, the Grizzlies have never been a contender. The most games
the team ever won in a season was 22 in 1999-00.
Vancouver's losing record, high Canadian taxes and limited
endorsement opportunities have resulted in some players refusing to
play for the club. Steve Francis, picked second overall in the 1999
draft, embarrassed the team by forcing a trade.
The Grizzlies' woes are made ever worse when compared to the
Toronto Raptors, who joined the league the same year as Vancouver.
The Raptors made the playoffs last season and are holding their own
in Toronto.
Stern was instrumental in bringing the NBA to Vancouver. He also
helped block Bill Laurie's attempt to purchase the team last year
when it became clear the Missouri businessman man wanted to
relocate the franchise to St. Louis.
But even Stern's patience is running thin, saying "it may have
been a mistake" to leave the Grizzlies in Vancouver.
Heisley, a Chicagoan who has made millions buying floundering
companies and making them successful, pledged the Grizzlies would
win 30 or more games this season. He also promised better marketing
and to connect with the community.
Instead, the Grizzlies are last in the Western Conference, the
season-ticket base has fallen to 4,800 and the team is averaging
13,355 fans, fifth worst in the league.
Stern left a glimmer of hope the franchise could remain in
Vancouver.
"My guess is there is a series of circumstances in which a team
could survive and perhaps thrive there," he said. "But I'm not
going to pound away at that."
Daniel Chiang, an Internet billionaire from Taiwan, was
mentioned as a potential buyer for the team. But Stern said
Chiang's interest has waned.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 David Stern makes a challenge to keep the Grizzlies in Vancouver.
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