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QUICK FIX? EXIT LAURIE, ENTER HEISLEY AS GRIZZLIES OWNER

          Chicago-based Heico Companies CEO Michael Heisley "has     ventured into the sports field by agreeing to purchase" the     Grizzlies for $160M from Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment,     according to Grant Kerr of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, who     notes the deal "still needs to be approved" by 75% of the     NBA teams.  Heisley, who "became a prospective buyer" late     last year: "I intend to do everything in my power to make     this franchise a success in Vancouver.  The financial     viability is an issue and we'll address that challenge ...     through marketing and promotion."  Kerr reports that Heisley     "has a rental agreement" with Orca Bay "for the use" of GM     Place.  Heisley adds that he "has no plans to take in local     partners."  Heisley, asked whether he would "try to move"     the franchise: "I've never had any intention of relocating     any team I was interested in" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25).      Orca Bay President Stan McCammon said that "talks" with     Heisley began around Christmas "when it became clear the     deal with [Bill] Laurie was falling apart."  Heisley, who     said that he "plans to do a better job of marketing" the     Grizzlies: "Turning the Grizzlies' fortunes around isn't     going to be easy.  I recognize it's not going to happen     overnight" (Jim Morris, CP, 1/25).  Heisley: "Why did I     [choose] Vancouver?  Honestly?  It was because Vancouver was     available to me, and it ain't that easy to get an NBA     basketball team" (VANCOUVER SUN, 1/25).          GOOD MOVE? In Toronto, Craig Daniels: "With Heisley's     purchase, it appears the Grizzlies, and the NBA, finally     have found stability in Canada off the court" (TORONTO SUN,     1/25).  In Vancouver, Tony Gallagher: "Unless this man is     Santa Claus or has a Maple Leaf tattooed on some body part,     the song and dance about wanting to operate in Vancouver is     a little hard to believe" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 1/25).  In     Toronto, Daniel Girard: "Vancouver could be Heisley's     toughest test" (TORONTO STAR, 1/25).  Also in Toronto, Allan     Maki writes, "How can you feel good about a Chicago     businessman buying a sports team in another country where     it's losing big money?" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25).  In Vancouver,     Gary Mason, on Heisley: "There was ... the honesty he     exuded. ... When Heisley said he had no interest whatsoever     in re-locating the franchise, you believed him" (VANCOUVER     SUN, 1/25).  WinStar Radio Network's Keith Olbermann: "Easy     joke department: the businessman who reportedly buys the     Vancouver Grizzlies for $160 million is from Chicago.  Does     that mean he'll move the team there so the city can once     again have an NBA franchise?" (Winstar Radio Network, 1/24).          PLAYING DEFENSE: In Vancouver, Howard Tsumura writes     that Heisley's business philosophy "seems to mesh with the     hopes of fans wanting their team to stay" in Vancouver.      Heisley: "As far as my buying companies, if you look at the     records, I virtually own everything I bought and turned     around" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 1/25).  More Heisley: "If     making a lot of money is the mark of a self-made man, then I     guess I'm a self-made man" (VANCOUVER SUN, 1/25).          GIVING THANKS: Former Vancouver Mayor and Grizzlies     Founder Arthur Phillips, one of the "main organizers" of the     "Save the Grizzlies" campaign, on keeping the team in the     city: "I think the fans of Vancouver should write or call or     fax [NBA Commissioner] David Stern and the other owners     again. ... [Stern] came through for us. ... It would be a     nice gesture if we had a little campaign to thank David     Stern and the other governors" (VANCOUVER SUN, 1/25).

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