Pistons For Sale, But Not Memories

The Detroit Pistons have a long history of stability and leadership, but lately, the organization is better known as hosting a fire sale for its team and suing the crosstown owners of the Red Wings and Tigers for stealing trade secrets.

The team, once known as the "Bad Boys" of the NBA on the court, is suddenly alleging being victimized by the bad boy behavior of its previous longtime front office team. The memories that Bill Davidson's Pistons have given fans, however, will endure and remain as great moments in Detroit sports history.

Before a trip down memory lane, the current troubles of the Pistons should be noted. Less than a year after the sad passing of Bill Davidson, rumors started that the Pistons were for sale. Recently, USA Today reported that the Pistons are bringing in Citi Private Bank's Sports Finance and Advisory team to help with the potential sale of the team.

Karen Davidson, Bill's widow, announced she is looking at the possibility of selling the Pistons by itself or as part of a package with Palace Sports and Entertainment, which includes entertainment venues the Palace (where the Pistons play), DTE Energy Music Theater, and Meadow Brook Music Festival.

The word "potential" has been used for months regarding the sale and the "bundling" of the team and entertainment venues has been the preferred mantra of Karen Davidson. Unfortunately, this has essentially left the Pistons in limbo.

It isn't clear if Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations, is a lame duck or if he is empowered to make decisions. Generally, sports teams don't sign new contracts or extend contracts to players during transition to new ownership. Teams generally try to reduce costs during a sale to appear more attractive to potential buyers.

With the draft looming and this being one of the biggest free agency periods in recent years, it isn't clear if the Pistons can consider making any kind of deal. Signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva last year severely hampered the team's chances of hauling in a big free agent, but Dumars has some decisions to make this offseason.

Will Bynum is a restricted free agent, and although he is not a starter, he showed flashes of being a solid player when the Pistons were hampered by injuries. The Pistons are slightly below the salary cap and Dumars would like to use the mid-level exception. There are also rumors that Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Jason Maxiell are possible trade bait. The draft, managing the salary cap during this free agency period, and possible trades is a lot of a "possible" activity for a team that could be sold soon.

The Pistons have also initiated a lawsuit against Illitch Holdings. Illitch Holdings (Mike Illitch) owns the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, MLB's Detroit Tigers, and several entertainment venues in the city of Detroit, including the Fox Theater and Comerica Park (where the Tigers play). Recently, Tom Wilson, who ran Palace Sports and Entertainment (owners of the Pistons) left to join Illitch Holdings (the Red Wings and Tigers). He resigned from Palace Sports and Entertainment in February and was hired shortly after by Illitch Holdings. The Associated Press reported that at least nine ex-employees of Palace Sports and Entertainment have joined Tom Wilson at Illitch Holdings.

Palace Sports and Entertainment says that those employees (Tom Wilson is not a defendant in the suit) took information with them that could be used to attract sponsors, ticket buyers, and vendors. Olympia Entertainment, a division of Illitch Holdings, is claiming the lawsuit is sour grapes. But in a downtrodden economy such as Detroit's, those sour grapes could be turned into some sweet wine.

According to ArenaDigest.com, two employees have already admitted they took account lists with them to Olympia Entertainment (a division of Illitch Holdings). All nine employees signed confidentiality agreements during their employment with Palace Sports and Entertainment.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this lawsuit is that according to CrainsDetroit.com, the Red Wings' lease with Joe Louis Arena is about to expire, leaving the Red Wings without home ice for the upcoming season. It was rumored that one of the reasons Tom Wilson was brought to Illitch Holdings was to assist the Red Wings build a new arena. Because of his relationship with Palace Sports and Entertainment, it was expected he would negotiate a lease for the Red Wings to temporarily play at the Palace until a new arena was built.

There is a history of hockey in the Palace, as it was home to the Detroit Vipers hockey team a few years ago. Recently, it was revealed that Illitch Holdings had purchased large tracts of land in Detroit in order to build a new hockey arena, which would mean the Red Wings will need a temporary home or an extension to their current Joe Louis Arena lease.

If it is proven that former employees have taken trade secrets with them, it will in all likelihood drop the value of the Pistons. Sponsors lists, ticket buyer lists, and vendor contracts are critical to operating a team. Essentially, the new owner's biggest competitor in the marketplace, Illitch Holdings, could have a blueprint to how Palace Sports and Entertainment does business, and that is a tough way to begin ownership of any franchise.

Selling the franchise, having the team in limbo, and the possible theft of trade secrets, however, cannot erase the memories of several outstanding seasons.

Beating the Lakers for the 1989-1990 NBA championship is tough to forget. The Lakers entered the Finals undefeated in the playoffs and having won back-to-back titles. Pat Riley had the highest winning percentage for both the regular and postseason. Detroit's Joe Dumars proceeded to average 27.3 points in the Finals and was the declared the MVP. Detroit's Bad Boys defense held the Showtime Lakers to 92.9 points per game, which was the lowest Finals scoring average in the shot-clock era. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy ran, but couldn't score and the Pistons were champions.

The Pistons followed their first championship season with a second after losing Rick Mahorn in the expansion draft. Isiah Thomas took over the Finals and averaged 27.6 points per game. The Pistons went through Michael Jordan and the Bulls en route to beating the Portland Trailblazers. Vinnie Johnson delivered the game-winning shot with .07 seconds left to seal the championship.

Fast forward to the 2000s, when the Detroit Pistons showed the NBA how a team wins a championship in the 2003-2004 season. There were no stars on that team in a league that emphasized big names and big contracts. Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Wallace played defense, were balanced, and they rebounded. They wore a striking resemblance to past Pistons championship teams. Detroit once again faced the Lakers in the Finals. In that series, the Pistons brought the team concept and Los Angeles brought the star power in Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, but Detroit prevailed.

The memories of the Pistons franchise are many and go beyond three championships. Detroit played in the highest scoring game in NBA history (Pistons 186, Nuggets 184) and led the league in attendance for many years. Among those who have worn the uniform include Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Dennis Rodman, and Grant Hill.

As the team possibly changes ownership, it should not be forgotten that the Pistons started in Fort Wayne, Indiana. According to DetroitPistons.com, Fred Zollner originally owned the team and it played in the industrial leagues. Companies used to assemble the best talent they could find to win bragging rights. Zollner owned a company that made pistons and after several league mergers, the Pistons found themselves in the NBA.

Although the team is currently for sale, and in a court that does not have a hoop and a net, the memories will endure.