Pistons announce move to downtown Detroit

The new arena, which will be ready to use by the start of the 2017 season, was built with a $285 million contribution from the city, which Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch squeezed out of Detroit with one of the one of the most damaging and shady stadium deals in America.

It’s been the worst-kept secret in the region for the last few months that the Detroit Pistons were probably going to move back to downtown Detroit, after almost four decades in the suburbs.

The Detroit Pistons basketball team will move to downtown Detroit starting next season, playing in an arena already under construction for the city’s hockey team, officials from both teams said on Tuesday.

Gores, Duggan, President and CEO of Illitch holdings Chris Illitch and National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver announced the move at a press conference at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (8-5): One of Harden’s highlights in Saturday’s win was a half-court alley-oop to center Clint Capela, and while the pass was a thing of beauty the man on the receiving end has also been getting more attention for his play.

In late October, the Detroit Pistons were reportedly close to finalizing a move to downtown Detroit. The Pistons would be another asset to the project, especially if the team is able to make a run in the playoffs.

“The incredible memories we have at the Palace, we own those”.

“I would think it greatly enhances their chance to get an All-Star game”, Silver said after Tuesday’s announcement.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has agreed to contribute US$34.5 million to ensure Little Caesars Arena, which is slated to open next September, can accommodate NBA basketball.

James Harden had 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to lift the Houston Rockets over the Detroit Pistons 99-96 on Monday. From the sixth floor of Cass Tech, the city panorama showed the rising Little Caesars Arena a few hundred yards to the east, and a short walk to the south stood Ford Field and Comerica Park.

The Pistons will need to build a practice facility and headquarters, but they do not have a location for them yet.

“This community is getting the world-class sports and entertainment district it deserves”, Christopher Ilitch said.

We’ll update this story if today’s presser yields any new information, but it probably won’t. “(Moving) is the right call for our fans, for our players, how we can impact the community.it is time for us to do it”.