Fat Mike

January 17th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^

Stupid. Sorry if anyone disagrees but it's Joe Louis arena. They've been there how long? It seems like illitch doesn't want the wings there and was obligated because of the lease agreement. If it needs drastic improvements then deal with it but don't take the wings out of the Joe.

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 443

majoturc

January 17th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^

I understand the history at the Joe and all, but that place is a hole. They either need to do some extreme renovations, or they need a new home. All the articles I've seen on the monetary situation suggest that it'd be significantly cheaper to build a new arena than it would be to do the necessary updates to the Joe to bring it up to date. To me, a short stay at the Palace would be a great sign, as it signals that the new arena that they need is coming. I've worked at the Palace during the summer for quite a few years. Last summer, one of my managers mentioned to me that a few groups of players for the Wings had come through to tour the facilities on separate occasions. It sounds like a temporary stay (and that's all it sounds like it would be, temporary while a new arena is built) at the Palace is a very real possibility for the Wings, and there's more than mere speculation to support that possibility.

Joined: 03/25/2009

MGoPoints: 22

noshesnot

January 17th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^

I just don't see the Pistons leaving the Palace. That place is still a great arena. It isn't like how the Joe is and the Silverdome and Tiger Stadium were. Granted, interest in the Pistons and the NBA as a whole is down, so a partnership between two teams might make sense in the long run for the Pistons. It obviously makes sense for the Red Wings currently. At least for a little while, it can bring back memories of the Vipers.

Joined: 12/09/2008

MGoPoints: 2

Jeffro

January 17th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^

Now that everyone have officially jumped off the Pistons band wagon, I think a move to Detroit would be great for both sides. There's a reason that the Silver Dome sold for $500,000; location, location, location. A joint stadium downtown with dual lease agreements could secure the funds for a top flight venue and fan base.

Joined: 12/12/2008

MGoPoints: 415

winterblue75

January 17th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^

Bill Davidson's wife is setting the family up to sell the Pistons. Will probably happen in the next year or two. She has already gone to the NBA front office to seek advice on how to proceed with a sale. My bet, Pistons get sold and move from Detroit. This area cannot continue to sustain 4 pro sports franchises, plus 2 major universities within an hours drive. As the Michigan economy continues to spiral downward I just don't believe the economic resources will be there for the Pistons to survive in this area. People are not going to spend their few entertainment dollars on a poor product. The Pistons history here in Detroit isn't that long and anyway. It basically only exists from 1988 to the present.

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 13273

RagingBean

January 17th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^

Their championship history may only extend from 88, but the Pistons have been in Detroit for almost 50 years now. There's no way the Pistons leave Detroit, like was said Stern wouldn't allow it since Metro Detroit is still one of the 10 largest populations in the country. In any case, I really like this downtown arena idea.

Joined: 10/29/2008

MGoPoints: 1757

adalvi5

January 17th, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^

I've always worried about the Pistons moving. But if the Lions, perennial losers, have not, I don't think the Pistons will either. I have to disagree that their history basically began in 1988. While the Pistons didn't win until 89, they really started their upswing when they drafted Isiah Thomas. If the Pistons are indeed sold, I wonder in David Stern will assist in coming up with an agreement that somehow makes Dan Gilbert owner. The only question is if Gilbert would want to give his majority ownership in the Cavs since they have LeBron. However, if LeBron leaves after this year, the prospect of owning the Pistons may become more attractive.

Joined: 08/09/2008

MGoPoints: 38

jmblue

January 17th, 2010 at 3:29 PM ^

This area cannot continue to sustain 4 pro sports franchises, plus 2 major universities within an hours drive. I love when people just randomly pull arguments out of their ass. All four Detroit franchises have drawn well at the gate over the past decade, despite the state being in a semi-permanent state of recession.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102720

lunchboxthegoat

January 17th, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^

I sure hope this doesn't happen becuase I will NOT make that horrendous trek from downriver to Auburn Hills to see the Wings. I love them but that area is a trainwreck with any amount of traffic.

Joined: 10/07/2008

MGoPoints: 4865

el segundo

January 17th, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^

And the linked article proves it. He presents a mish-mash of reasons why the Wings and Pistons would or would not partner, in Oakland County or in Detroit, temporarily or permanently. The article is an incoherent mess that does not adequately support its conclusions. This prospective partnership likely won't happen because both Illitch and the Davdison family have entertainment businesses that are built around locations. The Palace makes money as an entertainment venue, and the Pistons fill up 50 dates or so on the calendar. The Illitches make money from the Hockeytown Cafe and other enterainment venues in downtown Detroit, as well as parking, etc. Having the Pistons and Wings play in the same arena, reagardless of where it is, will hurt one of those ancillary enterainment businesses. Neither the Pistons nor the Wings has a real incentive to do that. Illitch has been assembling property west of the Fox Theatre for years. He wants to build an arena there and he probably will. He's trying to cut the best deal for himself, and negotiating with the Palace is a way to put pressure on the government entities and other players downtown so he can get what he wants. The Wings will probably end up renewing at the Joe for a few years or playing at Ford Field. The only way the Pistons move back downtown is if the franchise and Palace Sports and Entertainment are split up and sold separately. But I doubt that will happen. There are too many synergies from having the Pistons be the central tenant in an entertainment venue in Oakland County. In this sense, the Pistons also benefit from creating the impression that they might move downtown. That threat gives them leverage in negotiating with government entities in Oakland County about the construction of a new arena there.

Joined: 04/17/2009

MGoPoints: 1085

M Go Blue

January 18th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^

makes it sound as if they will definitely NOT be playing at the Joe next year, which is kind of surprising. Honestly though, I was more shocked to read that PS&E wants a new arena built before 2020. By all accounts, the Palace seems to be in great shape...

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8