Three Point Shot

Ilitch Gives Thumbs Up To Pistons Bid

Mike Ilitch could be on the verge of transforming Detroit's sports landscape after he publicly declares his interest in purchasing the Pistons. The move would all but ensure the team remains in Michigan and could provide the Tigers and Red Wings owner with the leverage needed for the proposed downtown arena he has sought. Consolidating Palace Sports & Entertainment’s concert, venue and sports ventures with his already vast empire would put Ilitch in charge of a large swath of southeastern Michigan’s entertainment options while also opening the door to the creation of a potentially lucrative RSN to air the teams' games. But Ilitch’s quest to dominate the Detroit sports scene is far from a done deal. There is the matter of the team’s price tag, which sources peg around $470M, a premium to pay for a team in an economically challenged state.