*sorry if this is in the wrong forum but it's an urgent message that needs lots of views http://www.123petitions.com/cgi-bin/system/sign1.cgi?id=bsangha1@hotmail.com$2 As you know by now Michael Heisley has stabbed us in the back. He never contacted corporate people or returned their calls (It's been all over Vancouver). For many people it took alot of effort to purchase tickets (as I have experienced). This effort is in terms of their phone number not ringing and when I left a message they still haven't gotten back to me (this was about 2 weeks ago). In addition many accountants say that his numbers of losing 50 million are way out of wack and are more like 17 million. You may hate us but please help save our Grizzlies! Sign the petition. The person who started the petition said he e-mailed Mark Cuban and Cuban said if the petition got a couple of thousand signatures he'd make SURE it got to David Stern. Thanks from Vancouver! *p.s If you sign it that'd be GREAT and you'd hav thanks from all of Vancouver. Also if you feel motivated enough please tell your friends about this.
I signed, because the Rockets own them. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
I would sign if it was any other city. But after throwing tomatoes and **** on Steve. I dont think the grizzles need to be there. Sorry but thats the way I see it. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
I signed, though I fear it is too late. Also, Mark Cuban signed, which means the David Stern will automatically ignore the petition. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
And probably fine Cuban for signing it. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
Either that or Purbis will fine him $250,000 and suspend him for displaying emotion. ------------------ "Ive seen more class at a Pig Humpin Contest ." -- moestavern19 makes headlines again, and in the process leaves little doubt as to what Saturday nights in his hometown of Lompoc, California are like.
C'mon Houston..I'm from Vancouver and it would be a shame to lose the Grizz. C'mon, you guys owe us one..we did give you Franchise. ------------------ Go Grizz!
Looks like St. Louis is out. But do you guys really think Heisley will keep the team in Vancouver after announcing that they won't be coming back? ------------------
He needs the owner's and Stern's approval first before he can move it and maybe he'll sell it off. The Save the Grizzlies group has 6 groups interested in purchasing the Grizz. We're trying everything. ------------------
Is that really Mark Cuban? Also wouldn't it be in our interest to have the Grizzlies move to New Orleans? N.O. would be our 1-10 East b****! [This message has been edited by Smokey (edited February 24, 2001).]
I doubt Heisley will keep the team in Vancouver if he keeps the team, especially not after the Hunt The Owner campaign with the picture of him in the rifle sight came out. I know I sure wouldn't want to keep a team in a town where the self-described fans of the team advocate hunting me down and shooting me. The only hope for staying in Vancouver is if the NBA owners vote to not approve a move, which would probably end up with Heisley selling the team (if he can. There may well be 6 groups who are interested in buying the team, but who knows if any of them is actually capable of pulling off a sale and getting approved by the NBA). How likely is it that the ownership (aside from Cuban) will defy Stern and vote against a move, though? Really, the key vote is probably still Jerry Colangelo. If he supports moving the Grizz, they are as good as gone (many say that Colangelo was key to keeping Laurie from buying the team and moving it to St. Louis. I don't know where he stands this year). As it is, a petition (especially an electronic one, which opens itself up to all sorts of potential for fakery. There's nothing to prevent people from signing it multiple times under false names) is probably not going to do any good. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
Personally, I can't blame Heisley. It's not like he's moving the Grizz for his health; he's doing it because the NBA probably really *isn't* viable in Vancouver. I generally don't like conspiracy theories to begin with, but even if Heisley didn't make his best effort... do you really think Vancouver can field a basketball team? The region is pretty small. In fact, teams with much LARGER population bases have trouble selling out. Moreover, Seattle is REALLY close so not even all the fans in the area will go to Grizzly games. Sorry, but if it wasn't this year, it'd be in 5 years. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks
You know the crazy thing is, if/when the Grizzlies leave, a lot of fans will probably blame it on Francis not wanting to play there. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
I don't know if it is the city itself that is causing the Grizz problems. Well, beyond the fact that it is in Canada. There is a problem with the exchange rate (local revenues come in Canadian money, but things like player payroll have to be paid in American money), as well as some different tax structures, etc. And it doesn't seem like the Canadian TV contracts are anywhere near as valuable as American TV contracts (for the local TV contracts, I mean.) But the city is a good size with decent wealth. The corporate base appears large enough. Even attendance isn't bad enough to cause the losses that Heisley claims to be experiencing. Part of his problem is likely his lease (unlike most teams, I don't think Heisley gets much, if any, non-basketball revenue). Gee, I started off saying that maybe it's not the city and then proceeded to say that it's the city. I don't know what I think. Nevermind. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
mrpaige: You might be right, I'm not an expert. It just seems like the city has too small a population too close to Seattle. I always enjoyed your posts in the arena forum though, so I'll defer to your expertise . ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks
I don't think it is for us to say whether or not Vancouver is a viable NBA city. Arguments could be made that the fans haven't supported the team, but would you if your team sucked that bad? We have a talented young team and we have the worst attendance in the NBA!!!! Like we should talk. The big problems in Vancouver have more to do with corporate support than fan support. In addition, the high exchange rate automatically puts them on the outside looking in when it comes to paying players and earning revenues. I'll all for them keeping the Grizz in Canada. I hope it isn't too late. ------------------ "You know what they say about the music business. Here today, gone TODAY! - Chris Rock at the MTV Music Video Awards
I'm from Vancouver, and I just want to say that Vancouver's population base has nothing to do with the fans ability to support the team. In fact, Vancouver's population is larger than Nawlins so I'm hoping if the team moves there, Heisley falls flat on his face. The fans will show greater support for the team if the team was actually respectable. Just to let you in on Heisley's (owner) conspiracy theory, major corporate figures in Vancouver wanted to get season tickets and suites but phone calls were never returned from the Grizz offices. Even the first owner of the Grizz never had his phone call returned. In addition to the team's poor marketing which began its campaign at the beginning of the season, and not in the summer, and Heisley saying that he was commited to making this work in Vancouver when he first took over the team and now crying foul only 1 and half seasons into this thing shows it was his plan all along. He is going to make a huge profit if he decides to sell or move the team. The fans of Vancouver are getting shafted by this b*stard of a business man, so I hope some of you are sympathetic to our situation and can sign the petition at the link on the first post. ------------------ Go Grizz!
