Pistons For Sale

[RipCity32]

The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Pistons owner Karen Davidson put her Colorado vacation home on the market (asking price: $47 million, if you're interested), and according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, the Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment might not be far behind:

In the meantime, Pistons owner Karen Davidson seriously is considering selling the Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment. She already has had a conversation with NBA commissioner David Stern on the process and protocol for attracting potential buyers. Once she sells, there would be nothing keeping the Pistons tethered to The Palace. There also has been a lot of chatter about the Ilitches making an offer to buy the Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment. They may have thought about it, but according to sources, Mike Ilitch is not a fan of the NBA. While he might be interested in The Palace, he has no interest in buying the Pistons.
I think among fans, there's always been a lot of support for the Pistons moving back downtown, although as McCosky points out, Bill Davidson was always against the idea. He also reports in the article that with the Red Wings in desperate need of a new facility, they have already discussed a lease agreement with the Palace while possible renovations are made at the Joe.

A big selling point for Palace Sports and Entertainment, regardless of who buys it, is the fact that the Palace itself is still one of the best facilities in the NBA, largely a result of Bill Davidson's commitment to putting a first-class team on the court. There are always wealthy people interested in owning sports franchises, but minus the arena, buying a team in Detroit, where the economy is worse than most other parts of the country, may pose more challenges than normal. Too bad Dan Gilbert owns the Cavs. I'm sure he would've been very interested in the Pistons if he hadn't bought the majority share in the Cavs in 2005.

Regarless, whoever ultimately owns the team, it will be weird not having the Davidson name attached.

For me it is scary to know that the Pistons might not be in the Palace anymore, let alone in Michigan anymore.

Karen is such a (insert vulgar word here). Her husband had a passion for the game that wasn't matched by many NBA owners. And now she is thinking about selling everything he worked for through all of his years. SMH.

 

[Mexi]

Where does it say they would leave Detroit?

leave the palace, fine. who cares it's just an arena?
as long as it stays in Detroit, or Michigan

 

[RipCity32]

Well whomever buys them as control over what they do with them.

No Pistons fan wants them to leave the Palace either though.