When I was younger, I was a huge fan of wrestling.  Of course I watched Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler’s Memphis promotion.  I also loved the WWF as most children of the 80s. In the 1980s, Vince McMahon was the commentator for the matches, and being the ignorant little kid I was, I had no idea he actually owned the promotion! (Imagine my shock upon finding out Jerry Lawler was the owner in Memphis. I thought he won all of those matches because of fireballs and chains.) Vince McMahon really longed to be a wrestler, despite being filthy rich promoting wrestling. McMahon worked out (and juiced up) furiously like a bodybuilder while really envying his wrestlers. At some point, McMahon was convinced he could be a character on his promotion, and became “Mr. McMahon,” the evil owner of the WWF(E) who would do anything to manipulate the matches and destroy the lives of his enemies.

Why should anyone who cares about the Memphis Grizzlies care about Mr. McMahon?  Because trying to be Mr. McMahon is what is wrong with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley.  The Grizzlies organization is doing a great thing promoting the upcoming tenth season in Memphis.  Now is a time to reflect on the history of the organization.  Many in Memphis did not expect the team to last in Memphis for ten seasons.  The Grizzlies may have a contentious legacy in the nine years the franchise has been in Memphis, but this is our team and we should not shame away from the first decade.  I was impressed with the poster celebrating the players and personnel that created the memories of the first nine seasons with one glaring exception:  Why the hell is Michael Heisley on there?  I know Heisley is the owner and has invested millions of dollars into the franchise.  Heisley is the person most responsible for everything the organization does.  Yet Heisley is not a personality that benefits the fan base of the Memphis Grizzlies with personal appearances.  In fact, when Michael Heisley speaks, he always finds a way to put his foot in his mouth.  Heisley may be a savvy businessman, but he is not a good public relations representative.  

Part of the reason the Grizzlies are not as successful as they could be in this market is resentment with Michael Heisley. Whether it is the business community (who may be unfairly influenced by the minority owners), the fans, or the local media, Heisley is not seen positively.  The unfortunately thing is that Michael Heisley is the kind of person who says he wants people to like him, but if he knows he’s rubbing people the wrong way, he gives them even more of himself to let the people know he’s there.  Whether Heisley has a need for attention or a demented sense of vengeance, he continually makes himself the news story, taking attention away from his organization which is always in need of good publicity.  Having Michael Heisley on the front of the poster is a distraction.  Instead of taking the time to relish the good memories, Heisley is the most prominent  image seen.  

Why is Michael Heisley on the poster?  Did he order that he be included thinking he would receive hero worship?  Was some brown-noser in the organization adamant about including Michael Heisley in the poster because he is significant to the team’s history in Memphis? (Well so are Don Poier, Sean Tuohy, Eric Hasseltine, Pete Pranica, Andy Dolich, Gene Bartow, Dick Versace, and Billy Knight. Why aren't they on the poster?)  Cherishing is hard to do when you are disgusted.

I do not disagree with many of the moves Michael Heisley makes, and he is unfairly labelled a bad owner.  Any owner in Memphis has to be fiscally responsible.  Sometimes the Grizzlies are actually innovative.  Michael Heisley is a shrewd man who does not understand the art of tactfully explaining the things he does. To make matters worse, he is overly emotional and now has decided micro-manage the organizations moves.  Michael Heisley has emasculated General Manager Chris Wallace and Heisley takes credit for the team's toughest moves, as if he’s a dad keeping the heat off of his son.  If Chris Wallace took all of the heat for controversial decisions he would be respected and possibly feared.  What agent is going to accept Chris Wallace’s word if they know he does not have the authority of other general managers?  Heisley owns the team; why not take the title of General Manager like Jerry Jones with the Dallas Cowboys and give Chris Wallace the title of assistant to the GM? What is the point of having a puppet in the front office?

If Heisley really wanted to be loved, he’d be silent and become a legend instead of a personality.  I am certain all owners dip their beak into their team’s activities.  The best ones do it in such a way no one knows they do it.  If Heisley only appeared during big events and read a speech writed by the team’s public relations people and stayed out of the limelight, he would be loved with a successful team.  Being front and center of the poster commemorating the Grizzlies tenth season in Memphis will not be earn the affections of the people that could buy tickets and only serves as a reminder that we see Michael Heisley in the spotlight too much.