Red Wings to play temporarily at the Palace?...

**Al Publican** · June-28-09, 09:28 PM

A former front office employee of the Pistons told me that the Red Wings may announce soon that they will play up to three seasons at The Palace of Auburn Hills while a new hockey arena is being constructed in downtown Detroit. This would facilitate the expansion of Cobo Hall and mean the razing of Joe Louis before long.

There was another issue that sounded iffy with said source, that the Pistons would eventually move to downtown Detroit and maintain the The Palace for more open entertainment date uses. My source said if things worked out right that the Pistons might even build their own arena downtown.

The Wings playing at The Palace sounds feasible, but two new arenas downtown not so much to me.

**French777** · June-28-09, 09:30 PM

I would think Downtown would miss out on a lot of economic benefit from 3 seasons away.

**Tigersfan** · June-28-09, 09:41 PM

I saw this mentioned on the Detroit Athletic Co's blog:

http://blog.detroitathletic.com

**Novine** · June-28-09, 09:44 PM

With the NHL and NBA having overlapping seasons? Doesn't sound feasible.

**French777** · June-28-09, 09:47 PM

Pistons moving downtown would be great tho!

**detroitbob** · June-28-09, 09:56 PM

The statements issued by the Wings indicate that the decision not to renew was made so the automatic renewal clause would not kick in and renew the lease for 20 years. They will negotiate foe Joe Lewis and not Cobo Arena. As for a temporary move to Auburn Hills just can't see the Illitch's going that route...They are too ingrained in downtown Detroit. However, I can see the Piston's moving back downtown in a new or shared arena now that the family has more control.

**rjk** · June-28-09, 09:59 PM

The second part doesn't sound iffy, it sounds absolutely ridiculous.

**rjk** · June-28-09, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by detroitbob

However, I can see the Piston's moving back downtown in a new or shared arena now that the family has more control.

Why would you say that? Do you personally know anyone in his family that has a desire to move downtown?

Right now the city of Detroit or Wayne County can't offer them a deal that is anywhere close to what they have now. That being total control of the Palace including that gigantic parking lot that isn't free to park in.

MIRepublic · June-28-09, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Novine

With the NHL and NBA having overlapping seasons?

I was thinking the same thing.

**RO_Resident** · June-28-09, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Novine

With the NHL and NBA having overlapping seasons? Doesn't sound feasible.

The Bulls and the Blackhawks have shared the United Center in Chicago since 1994.

Stosh · June-28-09, 10:21 PM

I doubt 3 seasons would be needed. Joe Louis could still be used while the arena is being built. A short term lease could be worked out. The Cobo expansion won't be ready for a while according to some people anyway, so They can concentrate on getting mechanicals and other aspects of Cobo ready. Once the expansion takes place, then probably they will move out.

**Nicodeme** · June-28-09, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Novine

With the NHL and NBA having overlapping seasons? Doesn't sound feasible.

Detroit and Phoenix are the only cities in the country where their 4 major sports teams play in their own stadiums or arenas. It's the norm for a city's hockey and basketball teams to share an arena, so scheduling isn't a problem. I just can't see 2 competing companies to work together like this [[Olympia and Palace Sports/Entertainment). My guess is it's leverage to get the best deal possible out of Detroit for the new arena.

**Fnemecek** · June-28-09, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Novine

With the NHL and NBA having overlapping seasons? Doesn't sound feasible.

There are several NHL teams that share a building with an NBA team.
In fact, you can watch the Air Canada Centre in Toronto getting converted @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uFt-wEj7jY

**Sstashmoo** · June-28-09, 11:16 PM

I think the issue is ticket sales. There are lot's of empty seats.

**Novine** · June-28-09, 11:23 PM

I stand corrected. I still don't see the Ilitches and Davidson's working together to accommodate a new arena downtown but crazier things happen all the time in Detroit.

**detmsp** · June-28-09, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Nicodeme

Detroit and Phoenix are the only cities in the country where their 4 major sports teams play in their own stadiums or arenas. It's the norm for a city's hockey and basketball teams to share an arena, so scheduling isn't a problem. I just can't see 2 competing companies to work together like this [[Olympia and Palace Sports/Entertainment). My guess is it's leverage to get the best deal possible out of Detroit for the new arena.

you'll be able to add minneapolis to that list next year when Target Field opens

**Nicodeme** · June-28-09, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by detmsp

you'll be able to add minneapolis to that list next year when Target Field opens

Miami is also getting a new stadium, I believe, so that'll be 4. Doubt any more cities will be added to the list in this economy.

DetroitDad · June-29-09, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Novine

I stand corrected. I still don't see the Ilitches and Davidson's working together to accommodate a new arena downtown but crazier things happen all the time in Detroit.

Money talks and capitalism is just a game. Both parties stand to profit from a single shared arena. As it stands, I believe Joe Louis operates at a loss, and The Palace, while profitable and superior to The Joe, does not live up to it's potential because of some loss of business to Joe Louis Arena. Beyond that, it's obvious that maintaining one facility for twice the sporting event income would make a lot of sense.

Add onto that the Ilitch's stand to profit a lot from having that many more people Downtown in their Foxtown district and Motor City Casino. You also have the buying up of all that land in Foxtown, and the renovation of several buildings in Foxtown and Grand Circus Park, and even the construction of a new office building, all mind boggling as it this is during one of the worst downturns in our countries history, and the residential and office market in Downtown Detroit is very soft.

If the Pistons aren't moving to Downtown Detroit, then something comparable in scale has to be coming.

**Gistok** · June-29-09, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by Novine

I stand corrected. I still don't see the Ilitches and Davidson's working together to accommodate a new arena downtown but crazier things happen all the time in Detroit.

Novine I would agree with you 100% on that one when Bill Davidson was still alive. Out of respect for a fellow [[former) NHL team owner, I wonder if the Ilitch's were at the funeral?

With him now gone... we have no clue if the anamosity of the two families has been laid to rest with him.

From what I've heard Bill Davidson didn't have "family participation" in his empire like the Ilitch's do.

Who knows... maybe all bets are off....

**Al Publican** · June-29-09, 12:34 AM

Not I, masked man.

**reddog289** · June-29-09, 01:00 AM

The Pistons and Vipers played in the Palace for a while, While I miss hockey at the Palace, It in itself would be strange to see the Wings out in Auburn Hills.

**jtf1972** · June-29-09, 02:47 AM

The Red Wings have ALWAYS played their home games in Detroit.

The Pistons actually played in Detroit for little more than a decade.

The Red Wings are a Detroit team.

The Pistons have had relatively little to do with the city other than using the name. Detroit actually receives little to no economic benefit from the Pistons.

If the Wings move to Auburn Hills I hope they wear their away jerseys all the time.

**jtf1972** · June-29-09, 02:53 AM

I also think the best place for a new hockey stadium is 5920 Grand River Ave.

**PurpleHeart** · June-29-09, 06:48 AM

Why not at Ford Field?

The Lions aren't using it! They can play over at the Former Tiger stadium with the amount of fans that will show up for the game, just tell them to bring lawn chairs!