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Detroit4lyfe at Blogged
Are the Pistons Leaving Detroit?
Written by Rob Rogacki   
Thursday, 15 July 2010 13:43

Chris Miliam, CEO of International Development Management, is heading up a group of investors that is working on purchasing an NBA team and moving the franchise to Las Vegas. The biggest piece of the puzzle seems to be convincing the Clark County taxpayers to finance an NBA arena on the Las Vegas Strip.

"We have an NBA team under contract. [The deal will happen if] other pieces of the puzzle fall into place: One of those pieces will be that a building (arena) is approved."

While Miliam declines to mention a franchise, rumors have been flying that the Pistons may be the team in question. Owner Karen Davidson has repeatedly expressed interest in selling the franchise, though has promised to keep the team in the D. Still, if the price is right there's no telling what Bill Davidson's widow will do.

Las Vegas sign

Now before you completely lose your shit over this, keep a few things in mind. First, the NBA has denied that one of its teams is "under contract" to move to Vegas. While it's still a possibility that a move could be in the works, it's not a done deal just yet.

Second, the Pistons are one of the most popular and profitable teams in the NBA. They led the league in attendance in both 2008 and 2009, and were still 8th in attendance last season despite the team's abysmal record. Allowing one of its most successful and profitable franchises to move on a whim would be suicide for the league.

Finally, Mandalay Entertainment CEO Peter Gruber, along with parter Joe Lacob, just bought the Golden State Warriors for $450 million. While no further plans have been announced, making the short jump from the Bay Area to Las Vegas is a definite possibility.

Las Vegas

[Las Vegas Sun, via Detroit Bad Boys]

Comments (4)Add Comment
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Let there be blood
written by Chris Humpherys, July 15, 2010
Dude, it would be a coup if the Pistons left Detroit.

I don't think that'd ever happen, at least not under Stern's watch.

But it's scary to even think about.

Do you guys need a hug?
I highly doubt this...
written by DD, July 26, 2010
I lived in Sin City for 3 years and I can tell you that those people are starved for a team to get behind. With that said, I don't think there is a way on God's green earth that Stern would allow someone as deeply invested into Mandalay Entertainment (and for that matter the Casino) to have an NBA team IN Vegas.

The Maloof Brothers own the Palms and also own the Sacramento Kings, for this very reason there is no NBA wagering done on any game involving the Kings in the Palms Sports Books. And that is just since 2008. Prior to that there was NO NBA betting allowed. Because of this I see it as almost impossible to own both an NBA franchise and a Casino/Hotel in Las Vegas.

On the topic of the site. I know they have wanted to put an arena behind the area of Ballys and Paris Hotels, along Koval. This would never be able to be done until a plan to handle the increased traffic would be in place. Most all of the streets around the proposed area are only 4 lane roads.

Here are my personal thoughts on the matter.

- If the NBA is serious about moving a franchise then do it. The Thomas & Mack, who hosted the NBA All Star game a few years back, is more that capable of handling an NBA team. It seats nearly 20,000. After the team has been approved to move then they can start construction. Until construction is completed, they can play at the T&M.
- Does anyone else think that the NBA would be making a huge mistake if they allowed this? They are already getting laughed at/persecuted for allowing their OWN refs wager on games right under their noses. This is a league that is notoriously known for turning a cheek and avoiding confrontation. I think that this time it should work more on cleaning things up before allowing a team to move to Vegas.

Conclusion: If I were a Pistons fan (puke) I wouldn't be worried at all about this. No one is in the market to move a franchise to an unproven fan market, in a declining economy and without an arena. You guys should just worry about the Tigers for now.
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