Little Caesars Arena (Photo on flickr by Rick Briggs)
Little Caesars Arena (Photo on Flickr by Rick Briggs
The Pistons marketing in recent times has put an emphasis on Detroit grit and determination, even though the team plays way out in the upscale burbs. Soon, the Pistons could be real Detroiters again, which will make the advertisements seem more genuine.
Bill Shea of Crain's Detroit Business reports that the team could announce in a matter of days that it will move to downtown Detroit and play in the Little Caesars Arena for the 2017-18 season, that is, if final details can be worked out. The publication cites unnamed "sources close to the discussions."
The talks involve people from the Pistons and Red Wings camps. The Wings plan to begin playing at Little Caesars Arena, on Woodward Avenue, just north of the Fisher Freeway, for the 2017-18 hockey season.
Shea reports:
The urgency to the talks has picked up because the new arena is less than a year from completion, and the Pistons’ needs for locker rooms and other facilities would be more cheaply addressed now rather than after the building is open.
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:
The Pistons could move in time for next season, the source said. But the deal isn’t quite at the finish line.
The sides are researching what it would take to modify the still-under-construction Little Caesars Arena, which is being built for the Ilitch-owned Detroit Red Wings, to accommodate the requirements of an NBA team.
The Pistons also are considering potential downtown locations for business offices and a multimillion-dollar practice facility.
Ellis goes on to report that the Pistons are thought to have three main goals:
- Gores wants to be an equal partner in the building, not just a tenant.
- The Pistons want to get a return on the substantial improvements made to the Palace since Gores bought the team.
- The Pistons have to ensure that the move doesn’t negatively impact season-ticket holders and sponsors.
