Pistons On The Move

Owner Tom Gores said Oct. 28 the team is “very close to a deal” to leave The Palace of Auburn Hills and start playing downtown next season. The Pistons have been in talks about playing at the Detroit Red Wings’ new home at Little Caesars Arena.

“I think if we’re going to do it, it’s going to be soon,” Gores said. “We’re getting close.”

The Pistons have played in Auburn Hills since 1988. Before that, the team played at the Pontiac Silverdome for a decade and called Cobo Arena home from 1961-78. The Palace was built with private funds by William Davidson, who owned the Pistons from 1974 until his death in 2009.

“We’re serious about making this move, and I think we should take it in. I think we should enjoy it, The Palace,” said Gores, who bought the team from Davidson’s wife, Karen, in 2011.“Really has been a historic arena, credit to Mr. Davidson.” Gores said the Pistons have not thought about building their own venue to play in downtown.

The Red Wings, who are owned by Mike and Marian Ilitch, are in their final season at Joe Louis Arena before moving to Little Caesars Arena.

The new venue will be across the highway from where the Tigers and Lions play at Comerica Park and Ford Field and there’s talk of building a stadium for a Major League Soccer franchise in that area as well.