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Michael Heisley, former owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, passed away on Saturday at the age of 77.

Heisley died due to complications from a massive stroke he suffered nearly 15 months ago.

“He was a unique guy to say the least,” said Stan Meadows, who was Heisley’s closest confidant and also served as lead counsel for the Grizzlies. “We all benefited greatly from knowing him.”

Heisley moved the Grizzlies to Memphis from Vancouver, B.C. in 2001. He paid $160 million for the team in 2000 and then sold the franchise to California technology mogul Robert Pera in the fall of 2012.

Pera’s group, which includes a number of local investors, purchased the Grizzlies for $377 million.

Via Ronald Tillery/Memphis Commercial Appeal

One of the worst owners in professional sports.

BangerBrotha wrote:One of the worst owners in professional sports.

Still better than Sterling

BangerBrotha wrote:One of the worst owners in professional sports.

The guy died and you write this ? There are more important things in life than basketball

RaptorRed wrote:

BangerBrotha wrote:One of the worst owners in professional sports.

The guy died and you write this ? There are more important things in life than basketball

He more then doubled what they were worth in a little over a decade

Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

pretty rough words, but he did have this franchise running directly into the ground for quite a long time..

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

ybnd wrote:

RaptorRed wrote:

BangerBrotha wrote:One of the worst owners in professional sports.

The guy died and you write this ? There are more important things in life than basketball

He more then doubled what they were worth in a little over a decade

Most teams doubled in value or more in that time span. Only doubling the organization's value is mediocre.

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

It isn't going to work in Memphis either. The tech dude is going to move the team once the lease is over.

RaptorRed wrote:

BangerBrotha wrote:One of the worst owners in professional sports.

The guy died and you write this ? There are more important things in life than basketball

There are things more important than basketball and I'm sorry he died but he was one of the worst owners in pro sports and lied to the people of Vancouver all of the sake of making of making $$$$, so I don't really see the huge problem with that statement.

Is there a rule that says you have to show respect and admiration for everyone that dies even if they're not great people? If Donald Sterling died tomorrow would you also defend him from the onslaught of bad words that would follow?

R.I.P. Michael Heisley.

I hate to speak ill of the dead, but I can understand why many are not exactly mourning his death; specifically, the people of Vancouver. Michael Heisley was Clay Bennett before Clay Bennett. He scammed the city of Vancouver of their only professional basketball team, which completely sucks.

likashing wrote:

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

It isn't going to work in Memphis either. The tech dude is going to move the team once the lease is over.

Agreed. Small markets are not sustainable in the long-run. They usually only survive from government subsidies, owners adding more equity into the company, large long-term bank loans that are defaulted on, and occasional playoff berths that get them some extra revenue from their 2 home games in the first round.

That being said, RIP Michael Heisley. Condolences to your family and friends during this tragic time.

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

Too many ny teams too ya stupid bitch

TONYROMOHOF wrote:

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

Too many ny teams too ya stupid bitch

Actually, New York could support a 3rd team in Newark at Prudential or Izod Center. New York is the biggest market in the world. It would make far more money and be much more popular than half the league's small market teams.

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:

Knicks Universe wrote:
The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

Too many ny teams too ya stupid bitch

Actually, New York could support a 3rd team in Newark at Prudential or Izod Center. New York is the biggest market in the world. It would make far more money and be much more popular than half the league's small market teams.

Wouldnt win anything just like ur current garbage squads

TONYROMOHOF wrote:

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:
Too many ny teams too ya stupid bitch

Actually, New York could support a 3rd team in Newark at Prudential or Izod Center. New York is the biggest market in the world. It would make far more money and be much more popular than half the league's small market teams.

Wouldnt win anything just like ur current garbage squads

LOL. You're just jealous New york has so many great fans and a huge population to back all these teams.

A man passes away and nothing but hate for him. Its astounding how many keyboard warriors there are out there.

Knicks Universe wrote:

TONYROMOHOF wrote:Burn in hell heisley

Stole the grizzlies

Now just waiting on jeffrey loria only guy worse

The team was never gonna work in canada. Even having one right now is one too many.

Do you look into any facts that align with the statements you make? Cause the Raptors which happen to be a Canadian team never have had a attendance problem and do fine financially. You do realize that Toronto is a largely populated city and is not considered small market by any means. Your clearly a very ignorant person who is making assumptions without any facts.

Besides as much as I hated the Grizzlies leaving Vancouver my condolences go out to his family. It's not easy losing a loved one.