Prospective Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley formally announced "the new identity" of his front office yesterday by naming former Pacers coach Dick Versace as President of Basketball Operations, former Pacers VP/Basketball Operations Billy Knight as GM and former Pistons and Magic coach Chuck Daly as a Senior Consultant, according to Howard Tsumura of the Vancouver PROVINCE (5/11). Also in Vancouver, Brad Ziemer reports that Heisley "was informed" yesterday that a "couple of minor contractual items remain to be sorted out" before his US$160M purchase is completed. Ziemer writes that Heisley "figures he will lose in the neighbourhood" of US$25M next season. Heisley: "I can afford to lose it for a long time. How long am I going to lose it? Not very long. I don't run my businesses to lose [US]$25 million a year forever. That's the reality." Heisley, on the team staying in Vancouver: "I'm not giving guarantees that we're going to be here forever. We're going to do what we can do." Ziemer also noted that Heisley "has yet to hire his" president of business operations, but that position "could be filled in the next week" (V. SUN, 5/11). NEW BEGINNING: In Toronto, Grant Kerr, on the changes: "The Grizzlies need a fresh look to recapture support of the Vancouver sports public. Everyone eventually tires of losing, especially in a community that's regarded as a hockey city first and foremost" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/11).
