There was a rumor going around this summer that Gores was looking to sell. Perhaps to Ilitch, perhaps to someone else.

His business, after all, is buying 'distressed' companies, making them profitable, and selling them for much more than he paid. He picked up the Pistons, and the Palace, at a bargain basement price. They are apparently already worth a lot more than he paid. And, due to some aspects of the NBA's recent collective bargaining agreement, there may be a potential for new revenue streams.

So, Gores can almost certainly sell now at a significant profit, without having to put another dollar into the operation.