Former Congress Member Harold Ford Jr. Joins Robert Pera's Bid to Buy Grizzlies

Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.), a native of Memphis, “has agreed to become a member" of prospective Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera's bid to purchase the team, according to Geoff Calkins of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Ford did not specify “what percentage of the team he will own.” He said that he “met Pera through mutual friends more than a year ago, before Pera began his pursuit of the Grizzlies.” Ford: "I still have a home in Memphis; I didn't want to see the team leave.” He added, “Robert assured me that moving the team was not his desire. He's serious about making the team a success on and off the court. He's even more serious about making sure there's local involvement." Ford said that he “talked to Pera about navigating the political landscape in Memphis, about talking to the right people about the right things” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/16).