Group in Vancouver Continues Efforts to Retain Grizzlies

Last-ditch efforts to keep the Grizzlies in Vancouver continued Saturday, with a “Save the Grizzlies” group trying to find someone willing to buy the team from owner Michael Heisley and keep it in Canada.

Representatives of the group met Friday with NBA executives, including Commissioner David Stern, but deputy commissioner Russ Granik said the group failed to provide the name of any potential buyer. “Save the Grizzlies” leader Peter Ufford said several Canadian investors have expressed interest in minority ownership, but Heisley has narrowed his options to selling the team outright or moving it to the U.S.

Heisley toured Memphis, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., last week. He also is considering Anaheim and New Orleans as potential new homes for the Grizzlies. Although Heisley has talked with representatives of several towns near his suburban Chicago hometown, no town there has explained how it would pay for a new arena or where the Grizzlies might play until it could be built.

Heisley is scheduled to return to Illinois today and is expected to decide this week where he wishes to move his team. The NBA deadline for him to apply for relocation is March 26.