NBA Rumors: Justin Timberlake To Become Minority Owner of the Grizzlies

It’s clear that Jay-Z’s impact on the Brooklyn Nets has a lot to do with this decision. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Memphis Grizzlies perspective owner Robert Pera has struck up a friendship with pop singer Justin Timberlake, and is recruiting him to be part of the ownership group by making a “meaningful investment into the team.”

Pera has been attempting to buy the Grizzlies from owner Michael Heisley all summer, and after a $350 million bid, the only thing stopping Pera from being the majority owner is an approval from NBA commissioner David Stern.

Stein also commented on how Pera agreeing to keep the Grizzlies in Memphis for the next 15 years may have helped spark Timberlake’s interest in taking a stake in the team.

If things go right, Timberlake will join Will Smith (Philadelphia 76ers), Fergie (Miami Dolphins), Nelly (Charlotte Bobcats), Usher (Cleveland Cavaliers) and many other celebrities who have partial ownership in sports teams.

Though Timberlake isn’t as big as rapper Jay-Z, he can have a similar impact on the team within the state of Tennessee. With him showing his face around the facility and speaking publicly of the Grizzlies, the fan base can be increased and seats will be filled up at the FedEx Forum.

With Pera already making moves to grow the organization, he’s could be the perfect owner for the team, and by the looks of it adding the Grammy-winning singer seems to be one of the many moves he’ll be making as the season approaches.