OT - Pistons moving to Las Vegas?

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July 15th, 2010 at 10:32 AM
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hockeyguy9125
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OT - Pistons moving to Las Vegas?

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/14/nba-team-under-contract-if-l...

This is out of the Las Vegas Sun. An investment group has (allegedly) a NBA Team under contract to move to Las Vegas pending the completion of a stadium. I do not know which other franchises in the league would be close to moving, but as a Detroit Sports fan, this really scares me. I am not a die hard Pistons fan, but I would seriously hate for them to move. Anyone else feeling the same way about this? Can anyone pull me off the perverbial ledge with another team that could possibly move?

UPDATE: http://detnews.com/article/20100715/SPORTS0102/7150452/NBA-denies-team-i...

From DetNews, NBA denies a team is "under contract" for move to Vegas. Take that for what it is worth. It could be a situation like there is no "contract" but a verbal agreement might be in place. I do not think the NBA would confirm the original story even if it is 100% true.

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July 15th, 2010 at 10:35 AM | They better not although I (Score:1)
Never Lose Hoke
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Joined: 07/14/2010
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They better not although I really don't follow NBA

"When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing."

-- Bo Schembechler

July 15th, 2010 at 1:41 PM | Detriot not going to LV (Score:1)
SanDiegoWolverine
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Joined: 02/03/2009
MGoPoints: 1317

I think you're safe according to CNBC the Warriors were bought by Peter Guber and Mandalay Entertainment (from Vegas) today. 

That the report that a team is moving to Vegas came out the same day a team way bought by an ownership group from Vegas sure seems to point to the Warriors being the most likely team to go there.

Long live "Detriot Basketball"!

T

July 15th, 2010 at 10:37 AM | Not going to happen. The NBA (Score:1)
coldnjl
Joined: 12/31/2009
MGoPoints: 2427

Not going to happen. The NBA will not move a franchise with the history and arena that the pistons do, to an unproven market

July 15th, 2010 at 10:45 AM | Right. The NBA's never done (Score:1)
GoBlueYork
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Right. The NBA's never done that. OH Wait!

http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nbafranchisehist.shtml

By my count 18 major moves (Not counting examples such as Warriors: SF to Oakland or Nets: New York to NJ). This also doesn't include the most recent one Seattle to Oklahoma City, which would make it 19.

Some have history, some without, but with the NBA allegedly nearly $400 million in the red and a looming lockout, if Las Vegas promises to bring in more money and build a nice arena, the NBA will not hesitate to move the Pistons...and it wouldn't be the first time for that franchise.

July 15th, 2010 at 11:40 AM | 1. Detroit-Windsor has ~5.7 (Score:1)
coldnjl
Joined: 12/31/2009
MGoPoints: 2427

1. Detroit-Windsor has ~5.7 million residents while Las Vegas has a population of 1.8 million.

2. Detroit has been hit hard by the economic times, but do you think a tourist city like LV wasn't hit hard. In fact, both are synomonous with the housing bubble and the recession as the hardest hit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/23/the-cities-hit-hardest-by_n_509744.html#s75345

3. Why would the NBA move a team to an untested market. Look what that had done for the Grizzlies and Hornets.

4. The Grizzlies would be the market to move, as there is no tradition, longevity, success, etc. that is holding them down

5. There are many buyers that are local who are interested in buying the pistons, and the current ownership group has said that local buyers take preference.

July 15th, 2010 at 12:02 PM | This is all 2000 Census (Score:1)
PF 34
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This is all 2000 Census data... Wait till the 2010 information comes out!

July 15th, 2010 at 9:59 PM | Your employer should get a (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

Your employer should get a refund, because they're getting swindled if someone's telling them that.  The most 2008 Census Bureau estimate put the state's population at 10,045,697.

July 15th, 2010 at 5:38 PM | Take a look at this (Score:1)
WolvinLA2
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Take a look at this link:

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/maps/michigan_map.html

It's from the US Census Bureau, so you know it's legit.  You can click on any county in Michigan and see population statistics.

For those who don't want to click the link, Wayne County comes in at just under 2 mil, Oakland at 1.2 and Macomb at over 800k, all 2009 estimates.  Also, although Wayne has lost an estimated 6.6% of it's population, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties have all grown, all but Oakland are some of the fastest growing counties in the state (Livingston by 16.7%). 

Keep in mind also that outside of Metro Vegas, there is nothing for hundreds of miles, and the Pistons get fans from Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Toledo and much of the rest of Michigan.  I grew up in GR and we would drive to Pistons games every year.

On the other hand, Vegas has millions of visitors every year which don't show up in the population numbers.  Lots of people would catch an NBA game while they were in town if it was an option.   

July 15th, 2010 at 10:01 PM | Accurate data? (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

What the hell are you talking about?  You claimed above that the state's population had plummeted to 6.9 million.  The above link completely refutes that. 

July 15th, 2010 at 12:10 PM | Point still stands (Score:1)
Foote Fetish
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Wayne/Oakland 3.1 mill > Las Vegas 1.8 mill.

Also, the CSA for Ann Arbor/Detroit/Flint is 5.3 mill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Combined_Statistical_Areas

July 15th, 2010 at 1:09 PM | The CSA number maybe, but... (Score:1)
Foote Fetish
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...that 3.1 number for Wayne/Oakland is the number you gave above, not the wikipedia number from 2000. 

But yes, Metro Detroit is shrinking.  I'm just trying to hold on to reasons for the Pistons not to move to Las Vegas.

July 15th, 2010 at 1:21 PM | Wayne County is shrinking, (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

Wayne County is shrinking, but Metro Detroit as a whole is flat or slightly increasing.  Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Washtenaw are growing in population, albeit not by much. 

July 15th, 2010 at 12:36 PM | 7000 people are moving to (Score:1)
Super J
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7000 people are moving to Vegas per month.  How many people are moving away from Detriot each month?  These numbers could sway the NBA. 

http://www.experience.com/alumnus/article?channel_id=relocation_center&source_page=home&article_id=article_1126286325788

 

Just throwing that out there.

July 15th, 2010 at 1:23 PM | I'm pretty sure that (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

I'm pretty sure that statistic is no longer accurate, given that Nevada now has the nation's highest unemployment rate (as well as its highest foreclosure rate). 

July 15th, 2010 at 10:37 AM | Detroit is a MUCH MUCH MUCH (Score:1)
rickiew04
Joined: 10/23/2009
MGoPoints: -651

Detroit is a MUCH MUCH MUCH bigger market than Las Vegas.  The Piston's aren't going anywhere. It must be referencing another team.

July 15th, 2010 at 10:42 AM | Much bigger size, yes, (Score:1)
icefins26
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Much bigger size, yes, however there isn't as large of a gap in market size as you'd think.

July 15th, 2010 at 10:47 AM | Also, Vegas is growing, while (Score:1)
jblaze
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the D is shrinking.

"They're stuck with that quarterback (sophomore Braxton Miller) for the next two or three years, that's fine with me. He throws worse than (Tim) Tebow. - Steve Everitt

July 15th, 2010 at 10:58 AM | Vegas (Score:1)
Hemlock Philosopher
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Vegas has the highest foreclosure rate in the nation - five times the national average. 

Brewer. Wolverine.

July 15th, 2010 at 11:20 AM | I guess it's a good thing the (Score:1)
Bryan
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I guess it's a good thing the Pistons are in Oakland County

I have a Fandom Endurance III merit badge

July 15th, 2010 at 11:45 AM | It makes sense with Vegas and (Score:1)
icefins26
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It makes sense with Vegas and other vacation/resort towns because people often by second homes there -- therefore when they lose their jobs, foreclosures occur more often with second homes.

July 15th, 2010 at 1:48 PM | That's what she said.... (Score:1)
VectorVictor05
Joined: 03/30/2009
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That's what she said....

July 15th, 2010 at 10:39 AM | Donaghy (Score:1)
steelymax
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Considering how corrupt the NBA is, Vegas suits the league well.

July 15th, 2010 at 12:23 PM | Name change (Score:1)
Baldbill
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MGoPoints: 2002

The obvious name to switch to would be The Gamblers. You could put in Wise Guys or some other mob reference, but I like the name The Las Vegas Gamblers.

Not that I want The Pistons to move there.

Semper Fidelis

July 15th, 2010 at 10:41 AM | I agree it is probably (Score:1)
GVBlue_is_still_blue
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I agree it is probably another team, but we can't say they would never be moved. Stern basically left that door open by saying he "really hopes they don't." In other words, it's possible. I still hold hope Illitch and some other investor(s) take them. 

 Robinson also packed snow into a plastic bag for his return flight.
"Melted on the plane," he said.
 


 

July 15th, 2010 at 11:10 AM | If the Pistons do move can we (Score:1)
jcgary
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If the Pistons do move can we get their announcer for Michigan Basketball games and get rid of our current announcer?

The only downfall (not really) would be is there going to be anymore "FREEEEE PIZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" if that would happen?

Edit: I really hope downtown Detroit is the only place the Pistons move to!

"I figure if I can get two degrees from Ohio State, it might be close to Elliott’s undergraduate degree" - Brock Mealer

July 15th, 2010 at 10:41 AM | Although I really don't care (Score:1)
DetroitBlue
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Although I really don't care about the NBA anymore, I would be sad to see the Pistons leave.  That being said, I doubt a team could thrive in Vegas.  Having a bunch of young and (mostly) immature millionaires living/working in Vegas seems like a recipe for disaster

July 15th, 2010 at 10:49 AM | TBH you could make the same (Score:1)
MGoDC
Joined: 03/21/2010
MGoPoints: 2303

TBH you could make the same argument about young/immature millionaires in NYC, South Beach, LA, and just about everywhere else. All that matters to the NBA is money. Although they put up a front of trying to "rebuild a good image" the reality is that the NBA is already looked at by the majority of the country as a "thug" league.

July 15th, 2010 at 10:45 AM | The Pistons aren't the only (Score:1)
Koyote
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The Pistons aren't the only team that is rumored might move to Vegas.

Other teams rumored: Hornets, Kings, Grizzlies

 

July 15th, 2010 at 12:32 PM | The league lost roughly $370million last year (Score:1)
NorthSideBlueFan
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and nearly a billion over the last 5. They are a ton of team hemorrhaging money. So I doubt the Pistons would be near the top of the LV transfer list. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35401379/ns/sports-nba/

Even if they were there is a bigger issue: David Stern hates Vegas, especially now after the All Star Game debacle and the ref scandal. In addition, you already can't even bet on NBA games at Palms because the Maloofs own the Kings.                                                                  DS is VERY image concious and a league with an image problem does not need to try to explain why a team in moving to "Sin City."

Lastly, the rumor for years has been that it's actually an NHL franchise moving to Vegas sometime in the near future.

"... never forget that Ohio is still a four-letter word."
-Bob Ufer

July 15th, 2010 at 10:46 AM | The Piston's are Detroit to (Score:1)
Argyle
Joined: 09/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1179

The Piston's are Detroit to the core. I can't imagine them any place else. It would be a tragedy to see them rebranded as a Las Vegas team. Thankfully, I care little for the NBA . . . 

July 15th, 2010 at 12:35 PM | I wonder if Fort Wayne thought the same thing? (Score:1)
NorthSideBlueFan
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I support the Pistons, but they haven't always been Detroit's Pistons.

"... never forget that Ohio is still a four-letter word."
-Bob Ufer

July 15th, 2010 at 12:57 PM | True, but (Score:1)
I Bleed Maize N Blue
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the Pistons have been in Detroit since 1957, approximately three times as long as they were in Ft Wayne.  So Detroit has far more meaning, I think.

Michigan Resurgent?  Michigan Resurgent!

The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!

July 15th, 2010 at 9:52 PM | Are we really comparing a (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

Are we really comparing a small Indiana city with the 11th largest metropolitan area in the United States? 

July 15th, 2010 at 10:46 AM | My guess, and obviously just (Score:1)
MGoDC
Joined: 03/21/2010
MGoPoints: 2303

My guess, and obviously just a guess, is that it could be the New Orleans hornets. They're struggling for revenue/attendance at the moment and there's talk that CP3 wants out of the town next year when he's a free agent. No Chris Paul = even less attendance = move to Vegas?

July 15th, 2010 at 11:03 AM | I'm in NOLA (Score:1)
Shalom Lansky
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I'm guessing Hornets over Pistons.  The team also just parted with their GM.  A reported done deal sale a few months ago fell through, CP3 openly talked about forming another Big 3 with Melo and someone else (Amare?) at a wedding last weekend . . . The franchise is in poor shape.

July 15th, 2010 at 11:31 AM | That's exactly the talk I was (Score:1)
MGoDC
Joined: 03/21/2010
MGoPoints: 2303

That's exactly the talk I was referencing, and you are correct the third is Amare. The plan is to go to the Knicks. In any case with the emergence of the Saints, New Orleans is officially an NFL town and I doubt the Hornets will get much support unless they unexpectedly turn into an NBA jewel.

July 15th, 2010 at 11:37 AM | Always has been (Score:1)
Shalom Lansky
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New Orleans always has been an NFL town, New Orleanians are addicted to the Saints, win or lose.  The Hornets never had a chance to compete with the Saints and winning a SB makes it even harder.  Even when the Hornets made the playoffs and advanced to the 2nd  round against the Spurs a few years back there were tickets available.  If fans won't pay to see Chris Paul WIN games, I don't know what will draw them in.  If Paul leaves the franchise should shut down, maybe Paul will just take the whole franchise with thim

July 15th, 2010 at 12:23 PM | I'd be on cloud 9... (Score:1)
NYWolverine
Joined: 08/16/2008
MGoPoints: 353

If this was in the realm of possibility.  Please let this be true!  For the Knicks to trot out a starting 5 of CP3, Amare, Melo, Randolph and Gallinari; with Turiaf, Felton, Azubuike, and Toney Douglas off the bench? This will be my new Knicks pipedream that will probably never happen, but whatever.  I'd watch every game. EVERY GAME.

E to the S Go Blue, Class of '04

July 15th, 2010 at 10:56 AM | There is absolutely no chance (Score:1)
supersweet
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There is absolutely no chance that this happens.  People said Detroit because we are for sale.  The Pistons will not be leaving Detroit.   This was just someone saying "oh, the Pistons are for sale, Vegas wants a team, so let's say that Vegas wants Detroit!" 

July 15th, 2010 at 10:57 AM | Sacramento Kings (Score:1)
Nick
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Kings are the team rumored to move to Vegas.  Their owners, the Maloof Brothers, have been contemplating this for years.

 

The pistons are not moving.  We all realize that the economy is down, but this area's sports fans are passionate and can support a winning team.  Pistons finances aren't in as bad of shape as some other teams, especially those without high end revenue streams like an abundance of luxury boxes with the corporate partners to fill them ( Sacto, Memphis New Orleans are really struggling in this regard)

July 15th, 2010 at 11:03 AM | if the... (Score:1)
GOBLUE4EVR
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pistons were to leave it would be the final nail in the coffin for the NBA with me... i've barely watched a pistons game in 3 years because the NBA has gotten so bad to watch...

@GOBLUE4EVR

July 15th, 2010 at 11:00 AM | I would be shocked... (Score:1)
neoavatara
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MGoPoints: 1581

If the Maloof Brothers would let anyone else move to Las Vegas.  They have wanted to move there from the moment they bought that franchise. 

neoavatara.com/blog

July 15th, 2010 at 11:05 AM | I'm not hoping that they move (Score:1)
joeyb
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I'm not hoping that they move out of Michigan, but I am hoping that they move to Detroit instead of Auburn Hills. The traffic that it causes when I leave work on game nights can be somewhat ridiculous.

July 15th, 2010 at 11:54 AM | Maloofs to Vegas (Score:1)
Wolverine In Exile
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Maloofs have siginificant business interests (Palms casino) in Vegas and having their team there would more align those interests. Sacramento isn't exactly a burgeoning market for hoops, and word on the street is Maloofs want to get out of California from a business point of view anyway 'cause they got killed the last couple years with the tax hikes going on against upper income businesses. If they fully relocate to Vegas, they can clear another 10-15% just from the decreased taxes. Vegas is not booming in population either with all the real estate mess, but there is still a lot of money.

Additionally, Detroit is still a major media market (#11 in rankings I've seen), so even with the problems the Detroit area is having, the NBA would be brain dead to leave this market. Remember the Detroit media market reach is more than just Wayne County; it's Oakland, Washtenaw, Macomb, all of downriver, and out even to Flint and Lansing. That's tremendous reach and population. The largest media markets right now without an NBA franchise are Seattle-Tacoma at 13, St Louis at 21 and Pittsburgh at 22. NBA already tried and failed in those areas, so I think the Pistons are safe from a geographic move point of view.... i'd just be more concerned about the new ownership having enough cash to operate a franchise so that we dont 'become the Bucks or Kings.

"So I come out of Ohio Stadium after we beat the Buckeyes, and right there on the hood of my friend's car, some one took a dump, in the shape of an 'O'. no shit. Oh, sorry, bad pun."

July 15th, 2010 at 12:37 PM | List of teams that will move (Score:1)
TheLastHoke
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List of teams that will move before the Pistons do:

Hornets

Grizzlies

Nets

Kings

Raptors

Bobcats

etc...

HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD

Formerly, TheLastProphet

July 15th, 2010 at 12:40 PM | True except for the "Brooklyn" Nets (Score:1)
NorthSideBlueFan
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They have their new arena on the way.

"... never forget that Ohio is still a four-letter word."
-Bob Ufer

July 15th, 2010 at 1:16 PM | Bobcats would not move, (Score:1)
GoBlueYork
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MGoPoints: 588

Bobcats would not move, especially under Jordan's ownership. Raptors also sell out every game and have a strong fan base.

It's really just Hornets, Grizz and Kings.

July 15th, 2010 at 1:23 PM | Especially under Jordan? (Score:1)
johnvand
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Especially under Jordan?

I would think having Jordan as the owner would throw fuel on the Vegas fire.  That man is a gambler.

Bobcats in Vegas with Jordan as the owner and Barkley as the GM and "all bets are off" - pun intended.

July 15th, 2010 at 12:45 PM | New Orleans (Score:1)
jb5O4
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I live in the New Orleans area and people don't really care about the Hornets. New Orleans can't sign any big name free agents because of the market size. I think they'll leave New Orleans within the next 5 years. Because of the saints I don't think anyone will be too disappointed.

Michigan Solar Car - National Champions: '90, '93, '01, '05, '08, '10

July 15th, 2010 at 1:08 PM | Dollas (Score:1)
BlueNote
Joined: 08/07/2008
MGoPoints: 1093

Why would the Vegas people buy the Pistons?  The Pistons are too expensive.  The Pistons are the fourth most valuable franchise in the NBA, but they would lose most of that value (in the form of fans and their money) if they moved to Vegas.  Why not buy a cheaper team:

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/12/09/team.values.ap/index.html

The Pistons may be lagging, but they are still very valuable if they stay in Detroit.

And the fans in Vegas don't care where the team comes from -- which is why you want to buy cheap if you're the Vegas buyer.

“We accept reality so readily, perhaps because we sense that nothing is real.” 

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