Effort Underway To Lure Red Wings To Palace Of Auburn Hills

Red Wings' Joe Louis Arena Lease With Detroit Expires In June

Oakland County (MI) Exec L. Brooks Patterson Friday said that he has "begun efforts to lure the Detroit Red Wings to The Palace of Auburn Hills," according to Leonard Fleming of the DETROIT NEWS. The Red Wings' Joe Louis Arena lease with Detroit expires in June, and Patterson said he believes team Owner the Ilitch family "gave up on their lease." Meanwhile, Fleming noted Patterson is "taking a shot at" Detroit Mayor Dave Bing for "trying to lure" the Pistons to downtown Detroit. Bing Thursday said that he hopes the Pistons "move back to the city," and added that he "wants a new arena for both the Pistons and Red Wings." Patterson Friday "lectured Bing on regional cooperation." Patterson said, "I call that poaching. I thought we're all supposed to be regional players, but that's not developing good relationships when you deliberately" try to lure the Pistons to Detroit. Following Bing's comments, Patterson called Ilitch Holdings' Tom Wilson to "announce that 'we're opening negotiations' for the Wings to move to Auburn Hills." Patterson said the county will take the Red Wings "out here for six years" until they find a permanent facility. But Patterson said that he "doesn't believe Michigan's economy would allow public dollars to finance a new stadium" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/13).