Off the wire

LITTLE ROCK — BASKETBALL

Grizzlies owner introduced

The new chairman of the Memphis Grizzlies said he “fully understands” that the people of Memphis really own the NBA team, even though he’s the controlling owner. Robert J. Pera is not only saying the right things, he has put it in writing. Pera, 34, who introduced himself to Grizzlies fans Monday morning at FedEx Forum, agreed to provisions to keep the team in the city for at least 15 years. “Memphis as a city, it’s unbelievable,” Pera said. “The people have been great. I can tell the community is really special, and those two things combined I consider myself very, very fortunate. Probably the luckiest man in the world right now.” Pera and his partners who form Memphis Basketball LLC bought the Grizzlies from Michael Heisley for $377 million in a sale finalized last week.The ownership group, along with the team’s new chief executive officer, held the news conference in the lobby of the arena. The event was open to the public and there were even inflatable slides for children on hand for Memphis’ home opener Monday night against the Utah Jazz. “I believe it’s the greatest sport in the world just from a fan perspective, from a player’s perspective,” said Pera, a former Apple engineer who started his own communications technology company in 2005 and described himself as an NBA “superfan.” Pera, wearing a dark blazer and black shirt, couldn’t stop smiling sitting at the podium along with Jason Levien, his new CEO and managing partner of Memphis Basketball LLC. It was Pera’s first public appearance in Memphis since his move to buy the Grizzlies first was announced in June. But he had been very busy behind the scenes working with Levien, Jeffrey Pollack and David Carlock in assembling a group of 22 limited partners including AutoZone founder J.R. “Pitt” Hydeand Memphis businessman Staley Cates. Both were minority owners with Heisley, who brought the Grizzlies to Memphis from Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2001. The ownership group is loaded with local star power as well. Entertainer and Memphis native Justin Timberlake is part of the ownership group along with two other Memphians: former NBA player Penny Hardaway and Ashley Manning, wife of four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning. Part of Pera’s commitment to Memphis includes three provisions keeping the Grizzlies in town for another 15 years. He would have to pay a $100 million penalty if the Grizzlies are moved, local owners have the right of first refusal to match any offer for the team and the local owners can buy the team at the current price should Pera want to move the franchise.

ESPN radio announcer Jim Durham, who called NBA games for the network, has died. He was 65. ESPN said Monday that Durham died over the weekend at his home in Tomball, Texas. A cause of death was not announced. In 2011, Durham received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport. Durham was the lead play-by-play commentator for NBA games on ESPN Radio since its inception in 1996. His last assignment for ESPN was Tuesday’s season opener between Boston and Miami. A Chicago native, Durham called Bulls games during Michael Jordan’s first seven seasons. He also served as a broadcaster for the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.

The NBA issued flopping warnings to Minnesota’s JJ Barea and Cleveland’s Donald Sloan on Monday, the first two under a new policy designed to end the act. Barea threw his upper body backward after contact while defending Sacramento’s Jimmer Fredette in the fourth quarter Friday. Sloan tumbled wildly to the court a few feet from contact after a pick set against him against Chicago on Friday. The NBA announced a new policy in preseason to stop the act of players dramatically overselling contact in hopes of tricking referees into calling fouls. League officials review plays and inform players if something they did falls under the league’s definition of a flop. The second offense comes with a $5,000 fine, followed by $10,000 for a third, $15,000 for a fourth and $30,000 for a fifth. Additional flops after that could lead to a suspension. Video of the plays are posted on nba.com.

BASEBALL Ortiz finalizes deal

David Ortiz, the face of the Red Sox since helping Boston end an 86-year World Series drought in 2004, has finalized a $26 million, two-year contract. Ortiz, 36, attended a Fenway Park news conference Monday to announce the agreement, which includes bonuses that could raise the value to $30 million. He had consecutive game-ending hits in extra innings of Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees as the Red Sox became the first major league team to overcome a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series. The eight-time All-Star has hit 343 home runs for Boston, fifth on the team’s career list, and has 1,088 RBI.

The St. Louis Cardinals have promoted John Mabry to hitting coach as the replacement for Mark McGwire, who told the team he won’t return after three seasons and appears headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mabry, 42, whose 14 major league seasons included three stints with St. Louis, was assistant hitting coach last season. St. Louis also promoted Blaise Ilsley to bullpen coach Monday as the replacement for Dyar Miller, who was not retained after one season under new Manager Mike Matheny. Ilsley, 48, was pitching coach for the Cardinals’ Class AAA Memphis affiliate the past five seasons. The team extended offers to pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, bench coach Mike Aldrete, third base coach Jose Oquendo and first base coach Chris Maloney to return in their current positions. They have not identified a successor to Mabry as assistant hitting coach.

Former Texas, Philadelphia and Cleveland manager Pat Corrales has been hired as a special assistant to Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti. Corrales, 71, was Washington’s bench coach in 2007 and 2008 and also in parts of the 2009 and 2011 seasons, when he evaluated the Nationals’ minor league system. He managed the Rangers in 1978-1980, the Phillies in 1982-1983 and the Indians in 1983-1987, becoming the first major league manager of Mexican-American descent.

The Kansas City Royals have promoted Terry Bradshaw to minor league hitting coordinator, Jose Castro to assistant minor league hitting coordinator and Milt Thompson to outfield, bunting and base-running coordinator. Bradshaw has spent the past four seasons as hitting coach for their Class AA affiliate at Northwest Arkansas. He takes over for Jack Maloof, who became the Royals’ hitting coach. Castro was the minor league hitting coordinator in Seattle the past five seasons, while Thompson spent the past two seasons as the Houston Astros’ minor league roving outfield and baserunning instructor.

GOLF Flick dead at 82

Jim Flick, a golf instructor for more than 50 years whose clients included Tom Lehman and Jack Nicklaus upon joining the Champions Tour, died Monday of pancreatic cancer, his family said. He was 82. Flick taught golf in 23 countries and directed programs such as Golf Digest Schools and ESPN Golf Schools. He was director of instruction at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., for 20 years and wrote five books, the most recent one titled, Jack Nicklaus, Simply the Best. Nicklaus sought out Flick in 1990 to help with his game after his longtime coach, Jack Grout, had died. Lehman spoke to Flick on Sunday before winning the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Desert Mountain. Funeral arrangements were pending. Flick is survived by his wife, Geri, and five children.

TENNIS

Djokovic, Murray advance

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray won their opening matches at the ATP final in London, setting up a showdown between two of the top three players in the world. The top-ranked Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (4), 6-3 in Group A, hours after third-ranked Murray rallied to defeat Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic and Murray will play Wednesday. The ATP final is the season-ending tournament for the top eight players in the world. Fourth-ranked Rafael Nadal, however, pulled out because of injury. Group B, which includes six-time champion Roger Federer, will play today at the O2 Arena.