Palace Sports CEO: Open to talks with Ilitches on arena, Red Wings

**Downriviera** · May-07-10, 10:03 AM

The 1-800 Call Sam Arena will be built in Foxtown, right next to Ernie Harwell Drive.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-07-10, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

[[Scratching my head after reading this)

Most of this is silly but I want to comment about your first two sentences.
This is confusing because we know he is the owner of the team and if he says anything in reference to the future of the team, wouldn't he be the ultimate source since the buck stops with him? Now I really don't understand this sentence because he didn't get to become a billionaire waiting for someone else to accomplish his ends.

There's nothing silly or confusing about anything I said. It's okay if that's your take. Believe it or not, it's my take on Illitch his family and organization. Just because he's the owner doesn't mean he doesn't obfuscate and feint, and the buck doesn't always necessarily stop with him. He has an entire family involved in running the various family businesses. Talk about silly, your comment above, about he got to be a billionaire is right there. You have your take on how he achieved his status in life and his veracity and I have my ideas about how Illitch, or any other billionaire got to their status in life. I don't believe him for a minute. He'll do and say anything to achieve his objectives.

**ghettopalmetto** · May-07-10, 10:17 AM

A *reasonable* and *logical* person would construct a new arena somewhere in the area of the Fox Theatre and Harmonie Park, simply to take advantage of the ENORMOUS QUANTITY OF PARKING already existing in that area.

Anywhere else is just stupid.

But, we'll see what happens. I'm sure Ol' Mike is waiting for the City, County, and State to be in better financial straits, so they can funnel more public money into his back pocket.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-07-10, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitSTAR

The context of the interview is very important here...

Mike Illitch granted a rare interview because Ernie was a close friend. The show hosts tossed in a couple questions that were sports related. Illitch clearly had his mind on other things, but I truly believe he was being honest and not playing any other cards. I am very much anti-illitch and I dont trust his word much. But today I trusted his word 100%.

I might've believed his comments about Ernie [[I didn't hear them), but I would take anything else he says with a grain of salt. I won't let my sadness about Ernie's passing get in the way of my skepticisim of Illitch and his organization.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-07-10, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Thanks EMU Steve...

Although 1kielsondrive and I may not necessarily agree 100% on this topic, we've always been respectful of each others posts and opinions...

But as far as the Pistons goes... Mike Ilitch has always been a big fan of Baseball [[wanted to play in the pro's) and Hockey... and I think Marian is the bigger fan here...

But I don't think he's been a big fan of basketball. And if he were interested in having a 3rd major sports team... he'd likely have to purchase both the Pistons and the Palace. I doubt he would be able to buy the team without the venue.

And the reason for that is because Guardian Industries... the glassmaker corporation that made Bill Davidson a billionaire... has their HQ located right next door to the Palace. If Mrs. Davidson and Mr. Davidson's son from his first marriage plan to keep the company... it would not be in their interest to have an empty hulk next door.

Also... with the millions that Ilitch Holdings has spent on land Downtown and in Midtown... what else would you expect they do with it?? Build condos? Does that sound like something the Ilitch's would do??

Since they're not able to use eminent domain... they've been forced to buy large tracts of land in both locations. And when the time comes for the building of a new arena... they'll pit the different areas [[holdout landowners) against each other.... and then decide where to build.

Even though the Palace is among the top half dozen venues in the country... that still won't be enough to save it from the same fate as the Silverdome.

But we shall see....

All good points Gistok. You certainly point out stuff I'm not aware of. My main point remains : billionaire business people don't always possess more intelligence, common sense and reason than anyone else. Illitch, and his family, could decide on issues totally other than those presented here. They don't have to tell us anything at all, much less what their business plans are. Illitch's have much sports management experience. The Pistons would be a natural fit. Same market, same sports fans, an almost new arena. If the price is right, they'll grab the Pistons in a flash. Regardless of what's said here, I believe they're working on it behind the scenes as we speak.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-07-10, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Downriviera

The 1-800 Call Sam Arena will be built in Foxtown, right next to Ernie Harwell Drive.

I don't know how serious this post is, but it's funny regardless.

**esp1986** · May-07-10, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

I don't know how serious this post is, but it's funny regardless.

Funny, but... please, God, don't let it be called the "1-800 Call Sam Arena"

Typically with naming things, and most so considering it's the Wings, it will likely have a nationally recognized name, wouldn't be surprised to see the Ilitches follow in the footsteps of the Fords here and work "Little Caesar's" into the name somehow for a significant discount especially since they started sponsoring the bowl game, more nationally recognized advertising for them could really help LC... The Ford Field Naming deal is for $1 million a year for 40 years, which is next to nothing, Comerica Park went for about $2 million a year. But, no disrespect to the Bernstein Family, I would rather it not be called that... my reasoning is that I really hate the Jobing.com Arena name in Phoenix, and this would be worse.

**emu steve** · May-07-10, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by esp1986

My hope is that he is able to build behind the Fox for a number of reasons, I hope even fronting Grand River. A new arena would almost certainly mean that the derelict buildings in the GCP area would generate some interest for renovation. The UA has seen activity lately, and with all of the rumors out there, something is bound to be in the pipeline.

If an arena is built fronting Grand River, there would likely end up being some infrastructure improvements to the roads and bridges in that area, and anything like that could end up providing a better link out to Motor City Casino, and lets be honest, the road and I-75 overpass there are pretty rough.

On the other side, the DEGC owns the land fronting Woodward. There is likely not enough land behind the Fox for ample parking garages. So if the arena was built behind the Fox, then parking across I-75 via covered walkway on the [[presumably) Ilitch owned land, the land that the DEGC still owns fronting Woodward can be developed, as it would likely have some interest with its proximity to the likely parking garages, which would get a lot of foot traffic on Woodward during Wings', Tigers & Lions [[and hopefully Pistons) games.

On the other hand, should the arena end up on Woodward, there is more than enough land there to build the parking garages there as well as the arena, so the area behind the Fox would sit in its present state for decades to come, as the Ilitches own it, and will likely just sit on it as they have for the past 10+ years, basically since the last two stadiums were built.

The more expansive option as far as economic development is conerned is to put the arena in GCP area or even fronting Grand River, behind the Fox Theatre. The parking garages across I-75 would mean foot traffic along Woodward year round, likely generating interest in the city owned property. Properties in the GCP area and even maybe toward Woodward and Merchants Row could see interest. Think, the Charlevoix, Park Avenue Building, United Artists Building, maybe finally see a restaurant in the Kales Building, and maybe over to the David Whitney Building. If no arena is built over by GCP, none of these buildings may ever generating enough interest to be renovated...

So this is why I am really hoping for behind the Fox. Should the economy ever improve, the two projects north of I-75, including the Eddystone, may yet help that area even more.

Very nice post.

When I'm in town for the NYY/BOS next weekend I'll do some walking or driving in the area.

I'm wondering if putting an arena north of the Fish would be more open and more accessible. Behind the Fox might seem 'tighter'.

When I'm in town for Tigs games I come down 94 and get off by WSU [[usually Trumbull) and scoot down Woodward to the surface parking lots across the Crosswinds [[and, of course, take the closest 10 dollar lot

).

**exmotowner** · May-08-10, 03:17 PM

Was anything mentioned about the UA?

**esp1986** · May-08-10, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by exmotowner

Was anything mentioned about the UA?

I wish... for a while it seemed like they were getting this building to the point to where it wouldn't be an eyesore should the arena end up on that side of I-75... that is why I am really hoping the arena ends up over there, because it will shed a lot of light on the building if it continues to sit or is torn down, hopefully encouraging them to fix it up beforehand so the area looks nicer... the Ilitches have not really said a word about it, and having been on a sports show, the last thing they are worried about is an abandoned building... I hope with all of the bad publicity from the Madison-Lenox, they have learned their lesson about tearing down viable buildings and will find a way to save the UA. The story with the UA continues to be, "we continue to market the building for redevelopment." Hopefully as the arena status becomes clearer, so will that of the United Artists Building and Theatre.

**Gistok** · May-08-10, 03:54 PM

All I can say is thank God the People Mover elevated tracks are in the way... otherwise a Statler-UA-Tuller site for an arena wouldn't be out of the question... although it would really muck up the remains of the "Woodward Plan" of radiating streets. Also Bagley is the main entranceway to the theatre/stadia district from the Lodge Fwy... so it would not make for good traffic flow if it were blocked.

lincoln8740 · May-08-10, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by esp1986

I hope with all of the bad publicity from the Madison-Lenox, they have learned their lesson about tearing down viable buildings and will find a way to save the UA.

Do really think mike Illitch or the rest of the Illitch organization give two shits about what a couple of urban preservationists have to say on a local message board?

Really?

**1KielsonDrive** · May-08-10, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by lincoln8740

Do really think mike Illitch or the rest of the Illitch organization give two shits about what a couple of urban preservationists have to say on a local message board?

Really?

You hit the nail on the head. That's the question.

**Gistok** · May-09-10, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by lincoln8740

Do really think mike Illitch or the rest of the Illitch organization give two shits about what a couple of urban preservationists have to say on a local message board?

Really?

Possibly [[with only 25 posts)... you may be unfamiliar with the tit-for-tat that the Ilitch's had with the National Trust.... after the Madison-Lenox fiasco. The National Trust plastered the front page of their 700,000 nationwide circulation magazines [[of the same name) with a picture of the United Artists Building in "slumlord condition" under Ilitch ownership [[after the Madison-Lenox fiasco).

Since then the Ilitch's have put a new roof on the UA building and theatre, removed some of the later regrettable additions, cleaned out the inside and cleaned up the windows.... why they did that... we don't really know... but it had nothing to do with what we post on this website.

And no one on this forum [[who's been around long enough) is presumptuous enough to think that anything we say here in anyway affects what the Ilitch's do.... so your just preaching to the choir....

**Detroit** · May-09-10, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

I think he'll buy the Pistons and move the Wings to Auburn Hills. It is all about the bottom line, you know. Even for a hometown 'hero' like Illitch. He could get the team, arena and everything else, for as much as it would cost to build a new arena. He didn't bring Wilson on board just for his ability to procure a new arena and tax dollars to pay for it, he got him for his intimate knowledge of the Piston's organization. Before you all start slapping me around, this is just an uneducated guess, a gut feeling. I'm not claiming I'm an expert on Sports Management, but I do have a line to the lord and he's on my side - I hope.

Whether any of you believe it or not, with Mr I, it is NOT all about the bottom line. Also, we should be seeing some work starting back up on an Ilitch owned building soon...

**exmotowner** · May-09-10, 05:42 PM

Didnt mean to open a can of worms guys. Was just hoping he was asked about but if it was a sports interview, then I understand why. I guess as long as its staning we can still hope.

**detroitbob66** · May-09-10, 10:27 PM

The Red Wings and hopefully The Pistons will be both playing in the Cass Corridor as its on its way to be a vibrant neighborhood despite the corridors past problems. They have been doing a lot of work IN AND around the CASS CORRIDOR. I live in the corridor and they took all the benches out [[no sleeping outside now) in Cass Park and have been mowing the grass and cleaning up all the trash throughout the entire park. They are also redoing all the sidewalks right now as I type! I even believe that they burned out a homeless camp on third street to push the homeless away from the corridor. NSO will be moving to the Bell Building on Oakman too! I mean come on...I see it happening daily!

**1KielsonDrive** · May-10-10, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Detroit

Whether any of you believe it or not, with Mr I, it is NOT all about the bottom line. Also, we should be seeing some work starting back up on an Ilitch owned building soon...

I don't believe it.

**ct_alum** · May-10-10, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

I don't believe it.

You appear to have issues with the Illitch family; I think that in the name of "full disclosure" you should give us the history. Don't get me wrong; I am in no way an Illitch supporter. I am just curious as to what happened. If you'd rather not, that's o.k. too. Thank you.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-10-10, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by ct_alum

You appear to have issues with the Illitch family; I think that in the name of "full disclosure" you should give us the history. Don't get me wrong; I am in no way an Illitch supporter. I am just curious as to what happened. If you'd rather not, that's o.k. too. Thank you.

Thanks for your response. You are correct that I don't have to reveal anything about my relationships with the Illitch's. Full disclosure at this time and this post is impossible and impractical. If you read my posts over a period of years, you'll see why I feel about them as I do. It would probably suffice just to say 'Tiger Stadium'. But that wouldn't be the full story. I believe the Illitch's are just another corporate behemoth with little or no conscience. They just happen to put a family and sports face on their business dealings. If the Wings and Tigers are winning, most people are willing to give the Illitch's a pass on responsibilty to our greater Detroit community. Your first sentence is correct.

**emu steve** · May-10-10, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by detroitbob66

The Red Wings and hopefully The Pistons will be both playing in the Cass Corridor as its on its way to be a vibrant neighborhood despite the corridors past problems. They have been doing a lot of work IN AND around the CASS CORRIDOR. I live in the corridor and they took all the benches out [[no sleeping outside now) in Cass Park and have been mowing the grass and cleaning up all the trash throughout the entire park. They are also redoing all the sidewalks right now as I type! I even believe that they burned out a homeless camp on third street to push the homeless away from the corridor. NSO will be moving to the Bell Building on Oakman too! I mean come on...I see it happening daily!

I saw that article on the NSO building on Oakman.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article...e-for-homeless

That sounds like some dots need to be connected.

I remember posts on how to handle the homeless, etc. and their need for social services and what might happen if something really big happens in the 'Cass Corridor' area.

The building will be ready in '12 and groundbreaking on an arena in the 'Cass Corridor' will be?????

**detroitbob66** · May-10-10, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

I saw that article on the NSO building on Oakman.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article...e-for-homeless

That sounds like some dots need to be connected.

I remember posts on how to handle the homeless, etc. and their need for social services and what might happen if something really big happens in the 'Cass Corridor' area.

The building will be ready in '12 and groundbreaking on an arena in the 'Cass Corridor' will be?????

EMU STEVE....exactly....And the veterans shelter on Park Street is moving its homeless people and clients over to the new Veterans Shelter on Piquette, where the old Studebaker Plant once stood! The corridor will be thriving within five- ten years is my prediction! Yea

**R8RBOB** · May-18-10, 12:54 PM

http://detnews.com/article/20100518/OPINION03/5180324

I was reading a column this morning by Terry Foster talking the Pistons' purging employees most notable Matt Dobek who was the Pistons long-term PR guy. [[I remember him sitting behind Daly during the Bad Boys days) Since the passing of Bill Davidson, the Pistons have been operating in a state of flux. First, Mrs. Davidson wants to sell the team then Tom Wilson jumps ship and finds a cruise ship waiting for him in Detroit and now they have starting purging old employees. Oh, I can't forget the push for them to return home to Detroit. What does the future hold for the Pistons?

**Johnlodge** · May-18-10, 01:06 PM

There are two men with Detroit ties who might be interested in buying the Pistons. Compuware owner Peter Karmanos has the cash and the incentive. His company headquarters is downtown and a downtown sports arena would benefit him and heighten his profile.

The other is Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. He cannot own two NBA teams, but Gilbert, an MSU graduate, might try to sell the Cavaliers if superstar LeBron James bolts for another team. In the past, he has expressed an interest in owning the Pistons.

Gilbert has business ties to Detroit and has the money to pull it off.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100518/...#ixzz0oJ0TgKbR

I'd love to hear something like this discussed on the show today, but unfortunately it will just be another parade of morons wanting to comment on the shooting of the 7-year old.

**R8RBOB** · May-18-10, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

I'd love to hear something like this discussed on the show today, but unfortunately it will just be another parade of morons wanting to comment on the shooting of the 7-year old.

Detroit would like very much for either of those two to buy the team and move it into that future arena.