Fighting to keep the Grizzlies in Vancouver
Last Updated: Thursday, September 30, 1999 | 7:37 PM ET
CBC News
That's the bottom line in a save the Grizzlies campaign launched today in Vancouver.
A number of people, ranging from fans to entertainers and politicians, are behind the campaign.
Musician and actor Jim Byrnes says he was appalled by the immediate reaction people had when Bill Laurie bought the Grizzlies. Byrnes says people just put their tail behind legs and went home.
He also says sports columnists write about sports instead of play them because they don't have any fight in them.
Byrnes is joined by politicians, business people and basketball fans to fight the possible move of the team to St. Louis.
Former owner, Arthur Griffiths, brought the team to Vancouver.
He says there's a good chance the franchise can be kept alive.
Griffiths says if they set the precedent of moving a franchise that's successful in a marketplace, NBA teams everywhere will be vulnerable.
He says there's one clear way to send a message to the NBA -- buy tickets.
He says if GM Place can be filled on a regular basis, it will be tough for the new owners to move the team.
Basketball B.C. has set up a web site and opened a special phone line as a way of channeling support for the Grizzlies.
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