Pistons Acquire New G League Team-- Will Play in New WSU Arena

**Lowell** · August-02-20, 10:34 AM

The Pistons are now all in on Detroit. They have just acquired a new G League team [the equivalent of a baseball AAA team like Toledo] that will replace the Grand Rapids Drive, bringing that action to Detroit just a short distance from their new practice facility in New Center.

It's been more than a year since the Pistons announced its partnership with Wayne State to bring a G League team to Detroit.

On May 1, 2019, the two sides inked a $25 million deal to construct the arena, which will house a G League team and Wayne State's basketball operations, on the corner of Warren and Trumbull. The team will start play in the 2021-22 season.

https://freep-mi.newsmemory.com?publ...2c1815_1343786

**401don** · August-02-20, 11:52 AM

Many teams like to have their G team closer to home for the advantages of keeping a close eye on the players, same day call-ups, etc. but having them a mile away won't be cost effective. Teams usually are in a suburban location where they can develop a separate identity, fan base and hence revenues. The Pistons are currently drawing squat and tickets are cheap. Gores invested in the Wayne State arena but I wonder if he will get the tax write-off if his team is located there? I guess if Wayne State owns it he probably will. Say what you want about Gore's poor hiring of management and coaches but he has invested a lot in the city with little to show for it thus far.

**EGrant** · August-02-20, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Say what you want about Gore's poor hiring of management and coaches but he has invested a lot in the city with little to show for it thus far.

I think almost everything he's done post-VanGundy has been very smart. Stefanski and Arn Tellum were fantastic hires, along with Casey and now the new GM Troy Weaver. I know Gores has a bad reputation, but he seems to have learned a little since his early days as owner.

**Hypestyles** · August-02-20, 04:19 PM

we'll see what happens. I hope that eventually whenever things are safe health-wise, that the team can build a local following.

**masterblaster** · August-05-20, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Many teams like to have their G team closer to home for the advantages of keeping a close eye on the players, same day call-ups, etc. but having them a mile away won't be cost effective. Teams usually are in a suburban location where they can develop a separate identity, fan base and hence revenues. The Pistons are currently drawing squat and tickets are cheap. Gores invested in the Wayne State arena but I wonder if he will get the tax write-off if his team is located there? I guess if Wayne State owns it he probably will. Say what you want about Gore's poor hiring of management and coaches but he has invested a lot in the city with little to show for it thus far.

It would have been nice if they could have relocated the D-League team to Flint or even Windsor [[in a renovated Windsor Arena).

The D-League team could build their own fan base in their own city, but still be close enough to the Pistons if the team needed to borrow a player or two on short notice.

**djtomt** · August-06-20, 12:17 AM

This is spin off development in the WSU District. New arena for the G League team and WSU hoops. Part of the plan. Flint is too far for a G League team [[relocating from Grand Rapids because of distance). Windsor is not an option due to COVID. Accept it and move on. I'm guessing most will enjoy the D League team vs the existing NBA club who wasn't even invited to the NBA tournament.