While the Magic stated that they are "selling about" 20 new season-ticket packages per day in "anticipation" of signing free agent F Grant Hill, the Pistons, Hill's former team, are selling around the same number, according to Becky Yerak of the DETROIT NEWS. Palace Sports & Entertainment (PSE) Exec VP John Ciszewski: "There's not a fan who wanted to see Grant leave, but they're excited to see what our next move will be. We'll work harder and make sure The Palace is still an exciting place to be." Hill's departure comes at a time when PSE "is in the midst of an unprecedented marketing study launched to reconnect with fans and crank up the Pistons as a brand." The rebranding initiative "was prompted not by Hill's leaving but rather last season's attendance drop." The team averaged 17,783 fans per game last season, down from 19,380 the previous year, as season- ticket sales fell 5%. The team "even hired" SFX subsidiary N.Y.-based SME Power Branding earlier this year. Next season's marketing campaign will incorporate the theme "Every Night," inspired by the "toughness, aggressiveness and hard work" that new President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars "embodied" when he played for the Pistons. Yerak noted that Dumars will be the focus of ticket brochures next season. The team has also commissioned WA-based Leigh Stowell Research to conduct a 15-question survey of about 1,000 fans, which the team is now reviewing. The firm will also do a similar study of sponsors. PSE President Tom Wilson: "We want the Pistons to be like the L.A. Dodgers. It doesn't matter who's wearing the uniforms; you go see the Dodgers. That's how we want to market the Pistons, as opposed to around one superstar" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/11).2
