Dave Bing trying to steal L. Brooks' Precious Jewels

bartock · March-13-10, 12:39 PM

I still think he meant this as a tongue in cheek statement. So, who "poached" the Pistons from Fort Wayne? Silly choice of words, of course.

The Pistons were in Detroit when there were roughly double the number of people there are now in the City. They were owned by Davidson and they played in Pontiac, then Auburn Hills, where Davidson decided to build an arena with mostly his own money. Now, Wilson is with Illitch and Mrs. Davidson is selling the team. This is a barely-veiled message meant for a specific audience. When the Red Wings end up playing at the Palace for 5-7 years while a dual stadium is being built downtown, Patterson will claim "tit for tat," and convince many of the people who vote for him of the same.

Despite the public funding and arguments on all sides for new arenas, ultimately these are legally privately-owned businesses and the owners can do what they please. I don't want to get slammed for not being an MBA or whatever, but in my lay opinion it would seem inevitable that the Illitiches will put a new arena in an area of downtown that can maximize the casino and Foxtown. It would likely be lucrative to the new owner of the Pistons to have a joint arena as well. Though the Palace is still world-class today, I think any new dual stadium is still a decade away.

**casscorridor** · March-13-10, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by bartock

I still think he meant this as a tongue in cheek statement. So, who "poached" the Pistons from Fort Wayne? Silly choice of words, of course.

The Pistons were in Detroit when there were roughly double the number of people there are now in the City. They were owned by Davidson and they played in Pontiac, then Auburn Hills, where Davidson decided to build an arena with mostly his own money. Now, Wilson is with Illitch and Mrs. Davidson is selling the team. This is a barely-veiled message meant for a specific audience. When the Red Wings end up playing at the Palace for 5-7 years while a dual stadium is being built downtown, Patterson will claim "tit for tat," and convince many of the people who vote for him of the same.

Despite the public funding and arguments on all sides for new arenas, ultimately these are legally privately-owned businesses and the owners can do what they please. I don't want to get slammed for not being an MBA or whatever, but in my lay opinion it would seem inevitable that the Illitiches will put a new arena in an area of downtown that can maximize the casino and Foxtown. It would likely be lucrative to the new owner of the Pistons to have a joint arena as well. Though the Palace is still world-class today, I think any new dual stadium is still a decade away.

It's funny, in a news video online these reports go to the Palace and ask random people what they think of the move. Most people are friendly to the idea, but this one young girl was like "no, they should stay here, they've been in auburn hills forever, why should they move?" hahaha. She obviously doesn't know that they moved from Detroit. But then they had this dude and they asked him what about the Wings moving to the Palace. He was like "hell no, thats my team." For the most part, I'd say most people in the metro region wanna see all the teams Downtown. Having the Pistons, the most popular to city of Detroit residents, in an outer ring suburb is outrageous... such an 1980's state of mind. Anyone who personaly knew Bill Davison knows how arrogent he was, and his moving of Guardian Industries and the Pistons is reflective of this. He basically said "fuck this city".

Anyway, I dunno about a decade away for a new stadium. Maybe 6 or 7 years. I don't want to see the Wings play in Auburn Hills at all. They should stay in their current stadium until the new stadium is built, unless of course the new stadium is build on the current Joe Louis site [[there are strong arguments in favor of this, such as the people mover connection). I would hate to see the Wings absent for as many as 7 years, which is a really long time. To me, it would feel like eternity. I think the Wings would also loose big time ticket sales during this time. But to me, the sooner the new stadium gets built, the sooner the Pistons move back home, the better.

bartock · March-13-10, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by casscorridor

It's funny, in a news video online these reports go to the Palace and ask random people what they think of the move. Most people are friendly to the idea, but this one young girl was like "no, they should stay here, they've been in auburn hills forever, why should they move?" hahaha. She obviously doesn't know that they moved from Detroit. But then they had this dude and they asked him what about the Wings moving to the Palace. He was like "hell no, thats my team." For the most part, I'd say most people in the metro region wanna see all the teams Downtown. Having the Pistons, the most popular to city of Detroit residents, in an outer ring suburb is outrageous... such an 1980's state of mind. Anyone who personaly knew Bill Davison knows how arrogent he was, and his moving of Guardian Industries and the Pistons is reflective of this. He basically said "fuck this city".

Anyway, I dunno about a decade away for a new stadium. Maybe 6 or 7 years. I don't want to see the Wings play in Auburn Hills at all. They should stay in their current stadium until the new stadium is built, unless of course the new stadium is build on the current Joe Louis site [[there are strong arguments in favor of this, such as the people mover connection). I would hate to see the Wings absent for as many as 7 years, which is a really long time. To me, it would feel like eternity. I think the Wings would also loose big time ticket sales during this time. But to me, the sooner the new stadium gets built, the sooner the Pistons move back home, the better.

It may only be 6-7 years, which is a long time. I just wonder if the Cobo renovations won't coincide and make the Joe a casualty of expansion. Then, I think the Palace option would like be the reality.

I don't think a shuttle from the Anchor Bar to Auburn Hills would work, though. [[unless they open "The Anchor...Auburn Hills!" Bleh.)

**eno** · March-13-10, 04:36 PM

The last Piston game I went to was at Cobo Arena during Dave Bing's rookie season. How are they doing now?

**BShea** · March-13-10, 05:38 PM

IMO, the only real Detroit news outlet is WDIV, and not just because they're located downtown.

I don't know if I should be irked, or laugh?

I thought "Real Detroit" was based Ferndale ...

In case you missed it on Friday, my blog entry this stuff. I talked to Auburn Hills' city manager, took a quick look at the taxes, etc. My apologies is the news outlet isn't real enough.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/shea

**jackie5275** · March-13-10, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Some more that came to mind...

*WTVS
*WWJ-TV
*WWJ-Newsradio 950
*Fox Portrait Studios
*The City Warehouse
*Geneva Hamburgers
*Don Massey Cadillac
*Kars Nuts

"Detroit" Catholic Central High School in Novi

**jackie5275** · March-13-10, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by bartock

They were owned by Davidson and they played in Pontiac, then Auburn Hills, where Davidson decided to build an arena with mostly his own money. Now, Wilson is with Illitch and Mrs. Davidson is selling the team.
Despite the public funding and arguments on all sides for new arenas, ultimately these are legally privately-owned businesses and the owners can do what they please.

Absolutely, Patterson can lobby,whoop, & holler all he wants, but he doesn't have the final say. For all we know, Davidson can sell the team to someone who wants to move it to another city. Not that it's probable, but it is possible. What could Patterson do in that case?

**jt1** · March-14-10, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by BShea

IMO, the only real Detroit news outlet is WDIV, and not just because they're located downtown.

I don't know if I should be irked, or laugh?

I thought "Real Detroit" was based Ferndale ...

In case you missed it on Friday, my blog entry this stuff. I talked to Auburn Hills' city manager, took a quick look at the taxes, etc. My apologies is the news outlet isn't real enough.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/shea

so AH's 2 biggest tax payers were poachef from Detroit and Highland Park. O'm sure Brooks, AHs government residents were complaining about how unfair that was. Fuck the entire lot of hypocrites.

**313WX** · March-14-10, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by jackie5275

Absolutely, Patterson can lobby,whoop, & holler all he wants, but he doesn't have the final say. For all we know, Davidson can sell the team to someone who wants to move it to another city. Not that it's probable, but it is possible. What could Patterson do in that case?

Davidson is dead [[rest his soul).

If he wasn't, this thread wouldn't even exist.

**313WX** · March-14-10, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by BShea

In case you missed it on Friday, my blog entry this stuff. I talked to Auburn Hills' city manager, took a quick look at the taxes, etc. My apologies is the news outlet isn't real enough.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/shea

Crains [[at least in Detroit) isn't a mainstream newspaper.

Originally Posted by BShea

I thought "Real Detroit" was based Ferndale ...

I rest my case...

**iheartthed** · March-14-10, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Davidson is dead [[rest his soul).

If he wasn't, this thread wouldn't even exist.

I believe the poster was referring to Mrs. Davidson.

**313WX** · March-14-10, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

I believe the poster was referring to Mrs. Davidson.

In any event, I wouldn't worry about the Pistons moving to another city [[it's a possibility, but a highly moot possibility). Unlike the Shocks, we have more parties interested in the Pistons and they're fairly profitable here.

**Danny** · March-15-10, 12:39 PM

L.B. Patterson really wanted to have the Red Wings move to Oakland County because:

1. He knows that Detroit is not going to change to accept regional help.

2. He knows that there is too many black folks running the show and not cleaning up their mess in their own ghettohoods.

3. He knows that bringing the Red Wings to Oakland County will add in extra revenues and increase regionalization.

However, it's up to Illitch to make the final call. To me and many fans, moving the Red Wings away from Detroit is a TERRIBLE ideal and it should not proposed in L.B. Patterson's or Illitches agenda. It would eventually destroy Detroit's downtown base and lose more revenue money. L.B. Patterson should stay out of Detroit's business if he doesn't want to help Bing the rest of Detroit increase unban development.

**Hypestyles** · March-15-10, 12:50 PM

on a pure fantasy level, it would be interesting if there were a new riverfront stadium downtown..

**casscorridor** · March-15-10, 12:55 PM

Things that should more to Detroit in no particular order---
1. Pistons [[Auburn Hills) and Palace Entertainment [[close the Palace, but keep Pine Knob open)
2. All the TV and Radio stations [[Southfiled, Mt Clemens, Dearborn, etc)
3. "Real" Detroit Weekly [[or alternatively, change their name to "The Real OC Weekly"
4. Chrysler Corporation of Auburn Hills [[or they could just move back to Highland Park)
5. Kresge Foundation of Troy
6. Detroit Public TV of Wixom
7. Second City Theatre
8. University of Michigan-Dearborn becomes University of Michigan-Detroit and builds new campus Downtown. Old campus become Henry Ford University
9. All those hundreds of companies that have "Detroit" in their name, even though they aren't located in Detroit

**French777** · March-15-10, 01:49 PM

I was wondering. Really how much economic impact the pistons have on AH, besides taxes is brought into Auburn Hills. When we go to Pistons games we drive to the palace, park there, eat something at the Palace, watch the game and then go home. We do not go out to dinner before hand or eat out somewhere afterwards.

**Traveller1** · March-15-10, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by casscorridor

Things that should more to Detroit in no particular order---
1. Pistons [[Auburn Hills) and Palace Entertainment [[close the Palace, but keep Pine Knob open)
2. All the TV and Radio stations [[Southfiled, Mt Clemens, Dearborn, etc)
3. "Real" Detroit Weekly [[or alternatively, change their name to "The Real OC Weekly"
4. Chrysler Corporation of Auburn Hills [[or they could just move back to Highland Park)
5. Kresge Foundation of Troy
6. Detroit Public TV of Wixom
7. Second City Theatre
8. University of Michigan-Dearborn becomes University of Michigan-Detroit and builds new campus Downtown. Old campus become Henry Ford University
9. All those hundreds of companies that have "Detroit" in their name, even though they aren't located in Detroit

I agree with you on everything except the switching U of M-Dearborn to U of M-Detroit. I'm not really sure what the benefit of doing this would be, U of M-Dearborn is already firmly established in Dearborn and moving a massive school, such as UM-Dearborn, would make it harder to commute from elsewhere in the metro area. The majority of the students at U of M-Dearborn commute from cities other than Dearborn, which means the university needs to hold a lot of parking spaces. It would be VERY hard to fit all of those cars downtown or in midtown.

I suppose you could build a massive university parking garage, but U of M does not have that kind of money. And honestly, Michigan really doesn't need another University [[Henry Ford University, as you suggested), the state needs more community colleges, at least temporarily.

**BShea** · March-15-10, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Crains [[at least in Detroit) isn't a mainstream newspaper.

Sure it is. And you didn't write "mainstream newspaper" ... you wrote "real Detroit news outlet."

We're not a general circulation newspaper, but we compete directly with the daily newspapers and other outlets. We're aimed at the business community, especially the decision makers, and the political community.

Anyone who wants news on the Red Wings/Pistons arena situation, sale of the Pistons, financing of the new venues, etc., knows that you go to Crain's to get the news [[back pat, back pat).

**313WX** · March-15-10, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by BShea

Sure it is. And you didn't write "mainstream newspaper" ... you wrote "real Detroit news outlet."

We're not a general circulation newspaper, but we compete directly with the daily newspapers and other outlets. We're aimed at the business community, especially the decision makers, and the political community.

Anyone who wants news on the Red Wings/Pistons arena situation, sale of the Pistons, financing of the new venues, etc., knows that you go to Crain's to get the news [[back pat, back pat).

You're right.

That said, my opinion stands on the "mainstream" Detroit media outlets or "general circulation" Detroit newspapers. There's usually a pretty good reason why the more reliable sources are somewhat hidden from or unkown by the general public.

**bailey** · March-15-10, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Traveller1

I agree with you on everything except the switching U of M-Dearborn to U of M-Detroit. I'm not really sure what the benefit of doing this would be, U of M-Dearborn is already firmly established in Dearborn and moving a massive school, such as UM-Dearborn, would make it harder to commute from elsewhere in the metro area. The majority of the students at U of M-Dearborn commute from cities other than Dearborn, which means the university needs to hold a lot of parking spaces. It would be VERY hard to fit all of those cars downtown or in midtown.

I suppose you could build a massive university parking garage, but U of M does not have that kind of money. And honestly, Michigan really doesn't need another University [[Henry Ford University, as you suggested), the state needs more community colleges, at least temporarily.

I don't disagree with your overall sentiment there... only noting the fact that UofM has a 7 BILLION dollar endowment. Money is one thing UM has plenty of.

**313WX** · March-15-10, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by casscorridor

Things that should more to Detroit in no particular order---
1. Pistons [[Auburn Hills) and Palace Entertainment [[close the Palace, but keep Pine Knob open)
2. All the TV and Radio stations [[Southfiled, Mt Clemens, Dearborn, etc)
3. "Real" Detroit Weekly [[or alternatively, change their name to "The Real OC Weekly"
4. Chrysler Corporation of Auburn Hills [[or they could just move back to Highland Park)
5. Kresge Foundation of Troy
6. Detroit Public TV of Wixom
7. Second City Theatre
8. University of Michigan-Dearborn becomes University of Michigan-Detroit and builds new campus Downtown. Old campus become Henry Ford University
9. All those hundreds of companies that have "Detroit" in their name, even though they aren't located in Detroit

If Chrysler comes back, then Ford has to come back as well [[both of which are unlikely).

Continuing on with your list...

10. Any conventions at the Rock Fianancial Showplace that originally utilized Cobo Hall or Joe Louis Arena.
11. Blue Nile Restaurant
12. Louie's Pizza
13. Shield's Pizza [[yeah, that location in the Kales Building will never happen).
14. Mr. Song Millinary [[if he already moved)

**Traveller1** · March-15-10, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

If Chrysler comes back, then Ford has to come back as well [[both of which are unlikely).

Continuing on with your list...

10. Any conventions at the Rock Fianancial Showplace that originally utilized Cobo Hall or Joe Louis Arena.
11. Blue Nile Restaurant
12. Louie's Pizza
13. Shield's Pizza [[yeah, that location in the Kales Building will never happen).
14. Mr. Song Millinary [[if he already moved)

Actually, most of the shows that take place at the Rock Financial Showplace today where never really done at Cobo or Joe Louis to begin with, but at the Novi Expo Center. Some that come to mind are the golf show, pool & spa show, the RV show, the outdoor living show, and the spring watercraft & boat show [[not to be confused with the Detroit Boat Show that still takes place at Cobo).

**iheartthed** · March-16-10, 06:56 AM

So bringing the Pistons back to Detroit is kinda low priority as far as I'm concerned, but I have to wonder how much Mr. Patterson tried to encourage Saab to stay in Detroit before offering them a site in Royal Oak?

Saab Spyker Automobiles NV may announce that it is locating its U.S. headquarters in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak.

Bill Mullan, a spokesman for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, tells the Associated Press that a tax incentive for Saab is on the agenda for the Michigan Economic Growth Authority's meeting today.

Mullan said he could neither confirm nor deny that Saab has chosen Royal Oak as the site of its North American headquarters. But Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison told WJBK-TV that he expected Gov. Jennifer Granholm to make the announcement at a news conference today.

General Motors Co. in January sold Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker Cars NV in a $74 million deal.

http://freep.com/article/20100316/BU...Q-in-Royal-Oak

**jackie5275** · March-16-10, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Davidson is dead [[rest his soul).

If he wasn't, this thread wouldn't even exist.

Mrs. Davidson is alive & selling. That's the Davidson I am speaking about.

**jackie5275** · March-16-10, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by French777

I was wondering. Really how much economic impact the pistons have on AH, besides taxes is brought into Auburn Hills. When we go to Pistons games we drive to the palace, park there, eat something at the Palace, watch the game and then go home. We do not go out to dinner before hand or eat out somewhere afterwards.

I don't know if you want to look at just the Pistons alone or include concerts & other events at the Palace. My family & I went to a Piston game back in November. It had been the first time in several years that I had been to the Palace for anything. I saw a build up of many restaurants & bars around the area that hadn't been there the last time I was out there. The parking lots all looked fairly full. Was it comparable to the "Let's go to Greektown for dinner and then back for drinks after the Red Wings game" activity ? I don't think so. Then again, maybe folks are just parking in those establishments and walking across M-24 to avoid paying for parking.