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Friday, March 23, 2001
Heisley reportedly asks for extension



CHICAGO – Vancouver Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is serious about moving his NBA team to Dixmoor, provided he can find a place for his team to play while a stadium is built, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.

The major stumbling blocks are finding a place to play and whether state government will help pay for the arena in south suburban Dixmoor, the Sun-Times reported, citing an unnamed source close to the team.

The NBA has given Heisley until Monday to pick a new city if he plans to relocate by next season. Heisley has asked NBA Commissioner David Stern for an extension, the Sun-Times reported.

A Chicago-based sports marketing firm spoke with officials of the UI Pavilion last week about the possibility of the Grizzlies playing there while the Dixmoor arena is built.

"We were told that for the Pavilion to be used by the Grizzlies, it would need to be expanded by 4,000 seats and have skyboxes added," University of Illinois at Chicago spokesman Mark Rosati said. "That would cost roughly $10 million.

"We explained we have no plans for such an expansion, but if they have the $10 million, we would be glad to talk with them."

Scheduling conflicts pushed Rosemont's Allstate Arena out of the running.

An aide to Gov. George Ryan said the governor's office has not had any formal contact with the team. Dixmoor Mayor Erick Nickerson said he is trying to set up a meeting between state officials and the team.

Nickerson also said several key state lawmakers have signed on to help bring the team to Dixmoor.

"I'm fired up now," he said. "We're close to making this happen."

Heisley lives in St. Charles, a suburb west of Chicago, and has said the metro area is large enough to support a second NBA team.

Louisville, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., Anaheim, Calif., and New Orleans are also in the Grizzlies sweepstakes.

Heisley has said he will not keep the team in Vancouver, where the team is projected to lose $40 million to $50 million this season.

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