The News Tribune reporter Wendy Carpenter caught up with Matt Griffin, spokesperson for the private investment group headed by Steve Ballmer that recently announced along with the City of Seattle it was pulling its deal to revamp KeyArena.

Here’s what Griffin had to say.

“First of all, in all of our conversations we've had with mayor (Greg Nickels), we've been impressed with his leadership.

“It seems clear now that when Olympia passed it back to the city, it probably died then. But we didn't realize that at the time.

“(Nickels) has called me in the last week, and asked if I keep an open mind. We’ve left it as there is no plan (moving forward) but we'll keep an open mind.

“I haven't talked with the other investors (since the city's announcement Tuesday) but it doesn't matter whether it's in the next two weeks, or two months.”

ON WHAT DO GRIFFIN AND THE OTHER INVESTORS DO NOW?

“I go back to my day job, and we'll continue to keep an open mind.”

Also, 3 Shades of Blue, a blog that follows the Memphis Grizzlies, interviewed Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley. The interview includes Heisley talking about what happened with the Grizzlies in Vancouver that led to the team moving to Memphis, and what the current situation is with the team right now. It’s definitely worth a read, and offers an interesting look into how NBA owners think.