Memphis Grizzlies Sale: Robert Pera Will Bring Stability to the Franchise

According to a number of sources, Michael Heisey has found someone to buy the Memphis Grizzlies.  

The sale, which has not yet been finalized and is merely an agreement in principle, would transfer the rights of the franchise into the awaiting hands of young 34-year-old billionaire Robert Pera for the meager sum of around $350 million. You know, pocket change. 

Heisey had earned a reputation for stinginess during his years in charge of the franchise, although he'd been shattering that perception in recent years thanks to the exorbitant contracts of Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph.

The Grizzlies have built a terrific young squad, with the potential to compete in the Western Conference for years to come, regardless of whether or not Pera continues to follow in Heisey's recent footsteps and open up the checkbook during free agency.

If the risk-taking in his past is any indication, Pera will. When he was 25 years old, Pera left his job at Apple to start his own company: Ubiquiti Networks. Needless to say, the move worked out quite nicely for him.

However, the most important thing on the minds of the Memphis fanbase is likely whether or not the team will remain in Memphis.

In March, Heisey remarked that he wouldn't sell the team to Larry Ellison, one of the potential suitors of the franchise, because Ellison wanted to relocate. This, Heisey said, was unacceptable.  

That past remark should be enough to comfort the Grizz faithful who are worried about the team's future in Memphis. Unnamed sources have also said that Pera intends to keep the team in its current location.

Breaking the lease at the FedExForum, which runs through 2021, would be necessary to move the team, and that would force Pera and the franchise to incur massive financial penalties. 

Everything is stacking up in favor of the Grizzlies right now, at least if you want them to stay in the same place.