Photo Gallery | The view from Michael Heisley's seat

Submitted by Joe Birch, Anchor

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013, 7:44pm

Check out this ticket

Former Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley still has four season tickets directly next to the team bench. When Heisley cannot attend a game, he donates his tickets to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Joe Birch

Up Close & Personal

It's a whole different game experience in seats adjacent to the Grizzlies bench on the floor at FedExForum.

Joe Birch

The Refs Get in the Way!

One drawback to sitting near the bench? The refs and head coach stand directly in front of you oftentimes!

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No Need for Binocculars

The refs and coach do not block your view of this show.

Joe Birch

Mike Conley, Floor General

Mike Conley made this free throw. A seat near the bench makes it abundantly clear that Conley is a highly competent floor general in steady communication with Coach Hollins.

Joe Birch

Wide Load

Z-Bo is a large and in charge.

Joe Birch

The New Prince of Memphis Hoops

Tayshaun Prince played his first game with the Grizzlies on Friday, February 1 and saved the day. The fresh import from the Detroit Pistons scored 14 points.

Joe Birch

Grizzlies Huddle

You can almost hear Coach Hollins game plan from Michael Heisley's perspective.

Joe Birch

Going to a Go-Go

I had a camera and more than a dozen beautiful women dancing directly in front of me. Think I was going to miss that?

Joe Birch

Ed Davis, Secret Weapon?

A lot of NBA insiders think Ed Davis is a rising star and a key to the Grizzlies future success.

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Make Your Case

The Grizz Girls hold up cases that reminds one of the old NBC game show "Deal or No Deal." If a lucky fan selects the right case, they win tickets to a future game.

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Armed for Action

That's Z-Bo's left arm. It's XL.

Joe Birch

Treating a 7-Footer

The Grizzlies Trainer treated Marc Gasol on the sideline for what appeared to be scratches suffered in the game versus the Washington Wizards.

Joe Birch

Little Brother?

Marc Gasol is the little brother of Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. There's nothing little about Marc. He stands 7'1"!

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Fan Favorite

#9 Tony Allen play tenacious defense and the fans love it!

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Tall Drink o' Water

Z-Bo hydrates. Good call.

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Tony! Tony! Tony!

#9 is an intense man.

Joe Birch

On the Air

Pete Pranica (center) and Hank McDowell (to Pete's right) broadcast the Grizzlies game. Mike Heisley's seats adjoin the broadcast table.

Joe Birch

A Big Man Who Can Make Free Throws

Gasol hits another shot from the charity stripe.

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So close you can almost read the tats

The Heisley seats give you an up close look at the players, so close you can almost read player tattoos

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Dance Time!

We like the way the Grizz Girlz move!

Joe Birch

Farewell

This was my parting shot from the prime seats on the floor as I had to leave FedExForum early in the 4th quarter to return to WMC's studios to bring you Action News 5!

Joe Birch

Prome Seats!

The guy in the glasses was having the time of his life!

Carrie Anderson

Action News 5's Joe Birch had the rare opportunity to sit courtside for the Memphis Grizzlies-Washington Wizards game on Friday, February 1, 2013.

Joe shares the experience of "sitting in the seat of a billionaire" in this photo gallery.

The season ticket seats adjacent to the Memphis Grizzlies bench are purchased for each home game by former team owner Michael Heisley.

When Heisley cannot attend a game, he donates the tickets to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. St. Jude invites supporters to enjoy the seats!