RealGM

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10846 ... er-dies-77

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Michael Heisley, the billionaire businessman who bought the Vancouver Grizzlies and moved the NBA team to Memphis, died Saturday. He was 77.

The Grizzlies said Saturday night that a family member confirmed Heisley's death. The Commercial Appeal reported that Heisley died in Illinois of complications from a massive stroke he suffered nearly 15 months ago.

Heisley sold the team to Robert Pera before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Heisley, chairman emeritus and co-founder of The Heico Companies, LLC, bought the team in April 2000. He moved the club from Vancouver to Memphis and hired NBA great Jerry West as president of basketball operations.

The team held a moment of silence for Heisley before its playoff game Saturday night against Oklahoma City.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed Heisley's death before the game.

"Michael was responsible for moving the Grizzlies from Vancouver to Memphis and really for getting (FedExForum, the Grizzlies' home arena) built as well as a longtime friend of the league," Silver said. "He was a wonderful owner, a terrific friend, and I want to send my deepest condolences to his wife, Agnes, to his children and all his friends."


Heisley will be missed. Just wanted to say thx for be the influential part that allow the Grizzlies to be brought to Memphis. A treat for the city and the fans to enjoy.

RIP Michael Heisley

RIP Heisley. He will always be a part of the Grizzlies organization in memory.

I loved his no-nonsense, honest to a fault approach to the Grizz. I loved the times he would come on the radio and call Verno "son" and smack him down. gold! He was frank and "no-filter" about business of the Grizz, which I loved about him. No freaking lipservice and the BS corporate hemming and hawing you get from others. "Straight shooter with upper management written all over him" as the Bobs would say.

He seemed arrogant and stubborn at times, but he the man with the big checkbook. I remember him saying something like how he's followed every season since 1940 or something like that and like " I think I know a little bit about players" when questioned about bringing in Allen Iverson or something like that because they were grilling him about him making "basketball decisions". I mean he was the owner and had the final say on some of these decisions. The other thing about him I admire was his being a teetotaler. More power to him. RIP.