Quote Originally Posted by BShea View Post
The full story this morning, including pertinent background:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...FREE/100809898

Mike Ilitch says he wants to buy Pistons and move them to downtown Detroit

By Bill Shea

Detroit sports and pizza industrialist Mike Ilitch confirmed today what’s been rumored for some time: He wants to buy the Detroit Pistons and move them downtown in deals that could eventually cost close to $1 billion.

Ilitch already owns the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. He confirmed that he’s told the Pistons’ ownership that he’s interested in adding the National Basketball Association franchise to his holdings, the first step in a possible sale.

If a deal happens, it’s expected to take several months. The NBA’s owners also would have to vote to approve a sale. [[Click the link for more)
I was over that area on Friday. This is were the former Motown Headquarters was located. I think it would be a perfect located for the new arena. It will clean up that area many times over. The Harbor Lights bldg can be knocked down and the blight can be removed.

Buying the Pistons is a win-win for Ilitch. To have two franchises booking 81 dates in the new arena and having it in FoxTown which will have the M1 rail passing through Ilitch holdings in the near future. He can't lose.