Championship Drive

Clock ticking on the Palace? October 8, 2010

Crain’s Detroit Business reported last week that Detroit Pistons owner Karen Davidson is selling the team and its parent Palace Sports & Entertainment Inc. to Mike Ilitch, a Detroit pizza chain mogul who already owns the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers.

The deal is not done, but the Detroit Free Press reports Pistons ownership has reportedly given the Ilitchs a 30-day exclusive window.

While this is potentially relieving news for Pistons fans freaking out about the team perhaps vacating Detroit, Ilitch might move the team downtown and out of the Palace (which would also require renaming this blog). Word on the street is the Red Wings would share the new facility, moving out of the famed Joe Louis Arena.

Currently, almost 79 percent of voters in the Detroit Free Press’ poll think the Pistons moving downtown is a good idea.

Free Press columnist Drew Sharp thinks Ilitch can’t fiscally handle keeping three professional teams successful, and the Pistons will draw the short straw.

Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News thinks the pros outweigh the cons.

What about you? Do you want the Pistons to join the other Detroit franchises downtown, or is the scent of Palace nostalgia too powerful for the team to leave?