Grizzlies owner doubts sale by Jan. 15

The owner of the Memphis Grizzlies said Wednesday he doubts an investment group led by former Duke players Brian Davis and Christian Laettner can come up with the money to buy his majority share of the team by a Jan. 15 deadline.

"I think that it's going to be difficult for them to meet those milestones, get the money and everything and get league approval by Jan. 15," Michael Heisley told The Associated Press.

That's the date set in the contract for real estate developer Davis and his group to buy billionaire Heisley's 70 percent share of the Grizzlies. NBA officials said Dec. 5 they are not considering the sale, because the proposed buyers had not provided enough information on their financing.

Davis was not in his North Carolina office Wednesday, and his attorney handling questions about the sale did not immediately return a telephone message from the AP.

"I do deals. That's the business I'm in," Heisley said. "The deal isn't done until the money is collected. I learned that a long time ago. I've been through this process a few times during the past 40 years."

Heisley said he would not have entered into the contract had he not talked to people interested in investing with Davis in the deal. He said he thought Davis and his investors would be a good fit for Memphis because of their plans for the team and the city's developing areas.

The contract announced in October valued the Grizzlies' franchise at $360 million, and minority owners in Memphis, who own 30 percent, declined an option to match the offer by Davis' group. Davis had planned to invest between $40 million and $55 million himself to become controlling partner with up to six partners.

If the sale falls through, Heisley said he would be willing to consider another prospective buyer. If not, he plans to become much more involved with the team, which entered Wednesday night's game at San Antonio with a 6-19 record, the worst in the Western Conference.

All-Star center Pau Gasol, who broke his left foot playing for Spain in this summer's world championships, returned to the lineup last week after missing the first 22 games.

Heisley said he must evaluate where the team is and what the approach will be for the rest of the season.

Reducing expenses will be at the top of the list for a team that reportedly lost more than $29 million in 2006.

Heisley was among a group of small-market owners who sent a letter in November to the NBA lobbying for revenue-sharing.

"Any franchisor must look toward the health of all the franchisees," said Heisley, adding it's very difficult to compete in the NBA. "If you have a large group of franchisees finding it difficult to keep their head above water, you've got to start looking at what solutions there are to that. Revenue sharing is one tremendous step in that direction."